Why Chinese hackers have unleashed cyberattacks on 'friend Russia' since Ukraine conflict, what 'war secrets' are behind these attacks
Cyber analysts have reportedly discovered a strange cyberwarfare trend. According to a report by New York Times, quoting security researchers, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, groups linked to the Chinese government have repeatedly hacked Russian companies and government agencies in an apparent search for military secrets. There has been increase in Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Chinese government-linked hackers have repeatedly targeted Russian companies and government agencies, seeking military secrets, according to the New York Times report.
The cyberattacks, which intensified in May 2022, have persisted despite public declarations of a 'no-limits' partnership between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Chinese hacking groups 'targetting' Russian businesses
The report claims that a Chinese hacking group, Sanyo, impersonated a Russian engineering firm's email addresses in 2023 to steal data on nuclear submarines, as uncovered by Taiwan-based cybersecurity firm TeamT5, which linked the attack to Beijing. 'China likely seeks to gather intelligence on Russia's activities, including on its military operation in Ukraine, defense developments and other geopolitical maneuvers,' TeamT5 researcher Che Chang told the Times.
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A classified Russian FSB document, obtained by The New York Times, reveals Moscow's concerns about China's pursuit of Russian defense technology and battlefield insights, labeling China an 'enemy.' This contrasts with the public Sino-Russian alliance, as Russia relies on China for oil markets and war-critical technology. The document highlights China's interest in drone warfare and software, noting that 'the war in Ukraine fundamentally shifted intelligence priorities for both countries,' according to Itay Cohen of Palo Alto Networks, as quoted by the Times.
What techniques Chinese hackers are said to be using against Russia
The New York Times also reports that
Chinese hackers
targeted Rostec, Russia's state-owned defense conglomerate, for satellite communications and radar data, using malicious Microsoft Word files to infiltrate aviation and state entities. Groups like Mustang Panda, suspected of ties to China's Ministry of State Security, have hit Russian military and border units, the Times notes, citing Rafe Pilling of Sophos. Pilling told the Times, 'The targeting we've observed tends to be political and military intelligence gathering.'
Proprietary malware like Deed RAT, used by Chinese state-sponsored hackers, has been deployed against Russian aerospace and defense sectors, the report said, citing Positive Technologies. Despite 2009 and 2015 agreements barring mutual cyberattacks, the Times notes that experts view these as symbolic, with hacking spiking post-Ukraine invasion. 'The activity — we saw it immediately in the months following Russia's full-scale invasion,' Cohen told the Times, highlighting the tension beneath the public narrative of Sino-Russian unity.
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The Print
42 minutes ago
- The Print
In Shakti Bhog ruling, NCLT lays down precedent for insolvency of firms facing money laundering probe
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Additionally, the NCLT bench noted that the dissolution of the company, when it has been listed as an accused in the prosecution complaint under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA, 2002), would frustrate the proceedings before the Special PMLA court, which has sole authority under the Act. The NCLT was deciding the plea of one Umesh Gupta, the resolution professional of Shakti Bhog Snacks Limited (SBSL), seeking dissolution of the firm under Section 54 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. The insolvency proceedings against SBSL were initiated upon the application of Goyal Tea Agencies Private Limited, an operational creditor to the firm in 2023. In Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code proceedings, an operational creditor is the firm or creditor to which the firm owes a debt. The firm under debt is called the corporate debtor. After admitting the application, the NCLT appoints one resolution professional to conduct the proceedings on behalf of the corporate debtor, in this case, SBSL. However, even before the application was moved, the ED had opened a money laundering probe based on an FIR by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The probe agency had arrested the firm's chairman and managing director (CMD), Kewal Krishan Kumar, along with his son and nephew, who were directors in group firms. 'In view of the grave and substantiated allegations of money laundering, the admitted implication of the Corporate Debtor as an accused party in pending proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 ('PMLA'), and the ongoing prosecution before the Hon'ble Special Court, this Adjudicating Authority is of the considered view that allowing dissolution of the Corporate Debtor at this juncture would be premature, impermissible, and contrary to the settled scheme of law. Dissolution under Section 54 of the IBC results in the Corporate Debtor ceasing to exist as a legal entity,' the NCLT further noted. 'Such a consequence would inevitably frustrate the ongoing criminal prosecution under the PMLA and defeat the authority and jurisdiction of the Learned Special Court, which is statutorily vested with the power to try offences under the PMLA and adjudicate upon related attachments and confiscation proceedings,' a New Delhi bench of NCLT observed in its order on Monday. On the other hand, senior advocate Vikas Pahwa emphasised the distinction between IBC and PMLA and their application while dealing with offences conducted by a company and its directors. 'The IBC is a civil economic legislation intended for time-bound resolution or liquidation, whereas PMLA is a penal statute targeting individuals for offences involving proceeds of crime. 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Over the course of the investigation, the agency has filed a total of six prosecution complaints, making all of them, including the firm, accused under section 70 of the PMLA. The agency has alleged that the firm and its directors diverted funds taken from loans to sister concerns of SBFL without any actual business, based on fake bills. In this process, the agency has alleged that the directors used approximately 108 dummy entities through which money was transferred with the assistance of entry operators. The insolvency professional filed the latest application for the dissolution of SBSL after discovering that the ED had sealed the firm's office. Notably, the ED has attached assets worth Rs 131.93 crore as part of the probe against the firm. In the application, the professional has stated that only SBI appeared during the meeting of the Committee of Creditors to stake a claim to the firm's assets. 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