Norway’s Intelligence Chief Claims Russian Hackers Hijacked Dam Operations

In early April, Russian cybercriminals briefly seized control of a dam in Norway, releasing millions of gallons of water before the attack was interrupted, as reported by Norway’s intelligence chief.

During the four-hour incursion, the hackers activated a floodgate at the Bremanger dam in western Norway, causing a water discharge comparable to three Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Beate Gangaas, the head of Norway’s security police, linked the cyberattack to Russian hackers during a speech on Thursday, which was first covered by Norwegian media.

The Russian embassy has reportedly denied any involvement in the event, according to Reuters.

This incident marks the latest in a series of suspected assaults by Russian hackers targeting Western energy infrastructures over the past few years. Russia has previously been accused of cyberattacks on Ukraine’s power grid, which caused major blackouts in 2015 and 2016, with Russia-affiliated hackers consistently aiming at the energy sector.