Russia Hacks Ukrainian TV And Posts Fake Zelenskyy Surrender Message
Topics: Russia, Ukraine, World News, Volodymyr Zelensky
Cameron Frew
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Russia, Ukraine, World News, Volodymyr Zelensky
Russian hackers reportedly managed to tap into a Ukrainian livestream to distribute a fake surrender message from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The move comes as Vladimir Putin's 'special military operation' continues into its 21st day. Amid the frontline conflict, with thousands killed between civilians and troops on either side, a 'cyber war' has been ongoing.
Early in the war, Anonymous announced it was targeting Russia, and has 'proven to be a very capable group that has penetrated some high value targets, records and databases in the Russian Federation,' according to a recent report.
The broadcast of the TV channel Ukraine-24 was hacked, and a fake appeal by Zelenskyy to lay down arms to the military appeared on the running line below pic.twitter.com/TdhLKOP81R
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 16, 2022
Just yesterday, March 15, Ukrainian authorities announced they'd detained a 'hacker' accused of being on 'thousands' of phone calls to Russian officials, as well as sending text messages to Ukrainian officials suggesting they surrender.
Now, footage has emerged online of Ukraine 24's stream being hacked with a message supposedly from Zelenskyy, saying he's 'capitulating' and calling for everyone to 'give up arms'.
WARNING! Ukraine 24 TV channel has been hacked! Now they are broadcasting a text tape with a fake address by Volodymyr Zelensky. We emphasize that no one is going to capitulate.
— EMPR.MEDIA (@EuromaidanPR) March 16, 2022
'WARNING! Ukraine 24 TV channel has been hacked! Now they are broadcasting a text tape with a fake address by Volodymyr Zelensky. We emphasise that no one is going to capitulate,' EMPR.MEDIA tweeted.
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'Enemy hackers have hacked the TV channel Ukraine 24 and are broadcasting Zelenskyy's message about the alleged 'surrender'. IT'S FAKE! Nobody is going to give up,' another user tweeted.
The claims were quickly debunked, with Zelenskyy releasing a video in which he said 'the only ones who should give up arms are Russian soldiers'.
❗️Ukraine 24 TV channel was hacked. On the air of the all-Ukrainian TV marathon, Zelenskyy's fake appeal about "capitulation" was shown on the TV channel's moving line, where he allegedly called for laying down his arms. @ZelenskyyUa reacted immediately: pic.twitter.com/2NTePTP5S9
— WithUkraine 24/7 (@With__Ukraine) March 16, 2022
'Russians hacked one of our TV channels with a message that Zelenskyy allegedly asked the Ukrainian army to put down the weapons and surrender. Zelenskyy himself immediately recorded a video debunking this, quote, 'childish provocation'. God bless social networks,' one user wrote.
Russians hacked one of our TV channels with a message that Zelenskyy allegedly asked the Ukrainian army to put down the weapons and surrender.
— Alex🇺🇦Khayrullin (@AlexKhayrullin) March 16, 2022
Zelenskyy himself immediately recorded a video debunking this, quote, "childish provocation".
God bless social networks. https://t.co/WzCEBtjNRy
In his most recent nightly address, Zelenskyy said: 'We all want peace. As soon as possible. We all want to win. And there is always a feeling that a little more, and we will get what belongs to us, Ukraine, by right.
'But efforts are still needed. It takes patience. We still have to fight. And work – everyone in their place. Everyone. In particular, our representatives, our delegation in negotiations with the Russian Federation. It is important. It is difficult, but important, because any war ends in an agreement.
'Meetings continue. As I am told, the positions in the negotiations sound more realistic. However, time is still needed for the decisions to be in Ukraine's interests.'
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