
An hour before the invasion of Ukraine began, Russia undertook a massive cyber attack by misleading a vast network of European Union communications satellites.
The network signified was KA-SAT, from which Ukraine also benefits. The purpose of the attack has been to cut off Ukrainian military communications.
The EU says there is sufficient evidence to fact that Russia stands behind the attack.
"The cyber attack occurred an hour before Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, thus facilitating military aggression. This cyberattack had a significant impact causing indiscriminate communication disruption severance and disruption in some public authorities, businesses and users in Ukraine, as well as affecting several EU member states," a Council statement said.
The EU states that the attack is another example of Russia's continued pattern of irresponsible behavior in cyberspace, which was also an integral part of its illegal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine.
The council warns that cyberattacks targeting Ukraine, including critical infrastructure, could spread to other countries and cause systematic effects by putting the safety of Europe's citizens at risk.
The European Union is considering further steps to prevent, discourage, hinder and respond to such cyber attacks, while pledging it will continue to provide coordinated political, financial and material support to Ukraine to strengthen its cyber security.