Ukrainian anti-war hackers deny access to German government websites.

[another_liberal]

Some Ukrainians seem not to agree with the Kiev government's priorities for how those billions in aid from the West are to be spent. That hackers from "CyberBerkut" have chosen to target German websites is particularly telling. They clearly know where to apply pressure to have the best chance of making Yatsenyuk change his aggressive plans.

Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk (RIA Novosti)


Ukrainian hacktivists block German government websites.


The Ukrainian hacktivist group CyberBerkut has blocked two German government sites. They are angry that Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk plans to use billions from the EU to fund war in the east of the country rather than rebuild it. The group blocked the websites of Chancellor Angela Merkel and the German parliament, the Bundestag, according to CyberBerkut’s website. The German publication Der Spiegel says the German government is aware of the problem, with government spokesman, Steffan Seibert calling it “a severe attack. Our service provider's data center is under a severe attack that has apparently been caused by a variety of external systems."

The websites have been down and inaccessible since 09.00 GMT. It is thought to be the first successful prolonged attack on the government's websites, which intelligence agency officials say face about 3,000 such hacker assaults daily. The head of the BfV domestic intelligence agency said recently about five of the daily attacks came from foreign intelligence agencies, Reuters reports. The websites, which include general information, speeches and podcasts from the chancellor and general government information, are used by journalists and the public.

It is believed they targeted German governmental websites as Yatsenyuk is set to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel on January 8 in Berlin. They are expected to discuss relations with Russia as well as internal developments within Ukraine. CyberBerkut say that Prime Minister Yatsenyuk intends to use billions of dollars of aid from the European Union and International Monetary Fund to continue to wage war in the east of the country, which has already killed thousands of people. The Ukrainian government intends to review its national budget by February 15.

“That's why we appeal to all people and the government of Germany to stop financial and political support of the criminal regime in Kiev, which unleashed a bloody civil war,” the organization said on its website. “This war has already taken thousands of lives, and Yatsenyuk will kill more for your money!”

(snip)

Read more at: http://rt.com/news/220515-hacking-ukraine-german-government/

[Recursion]

1. "Ukrainian" (nt)

[another_liberal]

2. That is indeed what they call themselves . . .

Ukrainians.

[Recursion]

3. I agree, they call themselves Ukrainians (nt)

[hobbit709]

4. CyberBerkut=Pro-Russian hackers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CyberBerkut

[another_liberal]

6. Can't they be both "Pro-Russian" and "Ukrainian?"

Millions of Ukrainians are ethnic Russians. Surely they can be "Pro-" themselves?

[ornotna]

5. Pro-Russian Hacker Group CyberBerkut Claims Attack On German Government Websites

German government websites were brought down Wednesday by a deliberate attack claimed by a pro-Russian hacking group connected to the separatist movement in eastern Ukraine. The hack came a day before German Chancellor Angela Merkel was set to meet with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk in Berlin to discuss economic cooperation.

A group calling itself CyberBerkut, in reference to a Ukrainian special police unit that largely aligned itself with pro-Russian separatists as hostilities grew in Ukraine last year, claimed responsibility for the attack. In a post on their website, the group accused Yatsenyuk of seeking money from the European Union and International Monetary Fund to extend the war in eastern Ukraine, not to rebuild the country.

http://www.ibtimes.com/pro-russian-hacker-group-cyberberkut-claims-attack-german-government-websites-1775874

[another_liberal]

7. "Ant-Government," Ukrainian hackers would be more accurate . . .

They do identify themselves as Ukrainian, and they are resident citizens of Ukraine, right?

[ornotna]

8. No. Pro Russian separatists is the most accurate description of this group.

We do want to stick with the facts here, right?

[another_liberal]

9. I was reflecting the facts.

They are clearly Pro-Russian in their leanings, but by definition they are Ukrainian hackers who oppose the Kiev government.

[ornotna]

10. And you're 100% sure they are Ukrainian?

After all, the message they put out was in fact in Russian. So I choose to just leave it at - Pro Russian separatists . Seems to be the most accurate facts out there.

[another_liberal]

11. Russian is the first language of millions of ethnic Russian Ukrainians . . .

It was treated as a coequal, official language of the country until the coup government in Kiev removed it from that status (though they may have reinstated it recently, at least there were reports they intended to do so).

[ornotna]

14. Over 17% of the Population are ethnic Russian.

25 to over 40% in the eastern part of the country. They identify themselves as Russian. I don't think it's a big stretch to call them "Pro Russian"

[another_liberal]

17. Agreed!

See my reply #9 (above).

[uhnope]

20. not all or or even most Russian-speaking Ukrainians are pro-Putin.

Remember that all of Ukraine voted to be independent of the USSR/Russia, overwhelmingly.
I have Russian-speaking Ukrainian friends. They loathe the Putin war machine.
They are pro-Russia as in wanting friendly relations, but not as in becoming a part of Russia again, or having Kremlin puppets run their country.

Ukrainians Prefer European Union, U.S. to Russia

http://www.gallup.com/poll/180182/ukrainians-prefer-european-union-russia.aspx

[ornotna]

21. Oh I agree with that

I was just trying to point out that the hackers are 'pro Russian separatists' and should be called that. Trying to paint them as ordinary 'anti-war Ukrainians' is just plain false.

[another_liberal]

28. Wait until they get to know our "War Machine" a little better . . .

They may want to have that vote over again!

[uhnope]

30. that's another post of yours that deserves to be enshrined forever

another_liberal
28. Wait until they get to know our "War Machine" a little better . . .

They may want to have that vote over again!

No comment necessary

[another_liberal]

35. What can I say anyway?

So long, uh.

[uhnope]

16. do you support cyber-terrorism, too?

[another_liberal]

18. Of course I don't support anything like "Cyber-terrorism" . . .

And what exactly do you mean by "too?"

[uhnope]

19. oh, I just meant "too" as in your constantly expressed opinions of support for Russia warmaking

and occupation in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, for the incessant posting of propaganda from the Kremlin news channel RT, for the homophobic totalitarian leader of Russia and the anti-gay laws there, for insane conspiracies denying that Russian proxy forces shot down the civilian airliner MH17 over Ukraine. All these things are on your DU journal or easily found for anyone to see. I mean, you actually use the term "Donetsk Republic"--a place that does not exist, the occupier's term for a region at war.

Links about all the above:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=journals&uid=297743&year=2014&month=7
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4590563
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017191632
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017209243
http://metamorphosis.democraticunderground.com/10025514359#post24
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025459673#post23
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014881926#post185

So I naturally wondered, since you are apparently pretty satisfied with this cyber-attack on Germany, that maybe you were overtly endorsing cyber-terrorism in general. But you say you're not, so never mind.

[another_liberal]

22. Read more carefully . . .

I do not support Russia in any of those posts, nor do I oppose Russia in any of them either. I do wholeheartedly oppose our going to war with Russia over Ukraine, or even involving our military in operations on the Russian border. I do oppose economic sanctions against Russia as well. Sanctions are hypocritical on our part and look likely to become wildly counterproductive anyway.

Try to not be so quick to jump to conclusions about what I support in the future, OK?

[uhnope]

23. lol

[Electric Monk]

24. Jury results: 0-7 (someone lost their alert privileges for 24 hours) nt

[zappaman]

26. You beat me to it.

I was on that jury too.
Glad to see 6 others voted to leave it alone.

On Wed Jan 7, 2015, 09:39 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

oh, I just meant "too" as in your constantly expressed opinions of support for Russia warmaking
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6054140

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Poster is stalking another DU'er. This behavior is outside the norm of proper debate and is essentially harassment.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Wed Jan 7, 2015, 09:54 PM, and the Jury voted 0-7 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: The OP is pushing putrid Putins poo-filled propaganda on a daily basis. We have all noticed and it's disgusting. I wish the admins would ban RT crapola from GD like they did LBN. Keep posting this crap from douchebag, hate-filled Putin and we'll keep calling it out. Thanks uhnope!
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: It is not "stalking" if you are simply documenting a poster's prior remarks. As "take downs" go, this one is pretty civil.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: The post seems quite fact based, actually. Pointing out a pattern in someone else's posting behavior isn't against the rules. Also, rt.com is straight up Russian propaganda.
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: *****************

another_liberal (7,403 posts) August 29, 2014
185. It is a personal hatred of Russia on the part of some . . .

Russian laws have insulted their life style, so they demand we fight a third World War to assuage their wounded pride.

I, for one, am not ready to get on that particular bandwagon.

***************
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I don't get it.

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[uhnope]

31. a huge thank you nt

[another_liberal]

27. Let me thank the alerter for at least trying . . .

It may take awhile to get it done, but the self-important, hurtful and disruptive stalkers on these boards have to be confronted before they can be stopped.

[Electric Monk]

33. I suggest you read the jurors comments and take them to heart (see post #26)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026051623#post26

[another_liberal]

34. I still believe in the right to free speech . . .

Why should I pay attention to comments from those who don't think I deserve that right?


So long, E. M.

[Electric Monk]

36. Is that why you alerted on post #19? nt

[zappaman]

37. !

[GGJohn]

38. You don't have a right to free speech here, the Admins and juries determine what speech you're

allowed.

[another_liberal]

40. I strongly believe in Free Speech Rights . . .

Anyone who doesn't won't be a friend of mine.

As to the rules and all: D.U. has a reasonably fair system, and it is a good deal harder to corrupt and effectively manipulate than some seem to imagine.

[GGJohn]

41. Judging by your previous post, it seemed you were under the impression that

you had a right to free speech here on DU, which simply isn't true.
I too strongly believe in Free Speech Rights, but on DU, your right to free speech doesn't exist in the true sense, free speech is what the Admins and juries deem it to be.

[another_liberal]

43. Who's complaining about any of that?

Like I said, it's a, "Reasonably fair system. . ."

[GGJohn]

45. You seemed to be in this post.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6058758

If I'm wrong, then I apologize and it's all good.

[another_liberal]

48. No apology is needed . . .

Have a fun evening.

[GGJohn]

49. You too. eom

[seveneyes]

12. Denying that which is denied

If it seem confusing, that's because it is. Every solution invites another problem to be solved. In an ever diminishing quantum understanding of the root cause of everything, we find another question.

Hackers are but another piece in the bigger scheme of things.

[another_liberal]

13. Deep thoughts . . .

Afloat on a sea of metaphysical uncertainty.

[Hutzpa]

39. That's my thought exactly

hackers in this context is also being wrongly used, but since hackers is the bogeyman word, I suppose it carries more fear than any other word.

[uhnope]

15. lol RT "RIA Novosti" lies

really sick that RW Putin lovers are gleeful that Russian cybervandals are fucking with the Ukraine--and RT/Putin TV is pretending the hackers are ordinary Ukrainians instead of paid Russian hackers

[SidDithers]

25. Spam...nt

Sid

[Duckhunter935]

29. yep

[pampango]

32. Ukraine says Russia behind cyber attack on German government

Ukraine's prime minister blamed Russian intelligence on Thursday for a hacker attack against German government websites, for which a pro-Russian group claimed responsibility.

The attack on Wednesday took place before Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk was due to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Russian group demanded Berlin end support for the Ukrainian government.

In a statement on its website, a group calling itself CyberBerkut claimed responsibility. "Berkut" refers to the riot squads used by the government of Ukraine's former president, the pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovich, who was ousted after violent protests last February. The claim could not be verified.

It was believed to be the first successful prolonged attack on German government websites, which intelligence agencies say face about 3,000 such assaults daily. About five of the daily attacks come from foreign intelligence agencies, the head of the BfV domestic intelligence agency said recently.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/08/us-germany-cyberattack-idUSKBN0KH0IY20150108

[another_liberal]

42. Good old Yats . . .

I'm a big fan of his stories. What an imagination, right?

[pampango]

44. Yats on one side and RT on the other. "Consider the source" is always a valuable reminder. n/t

[another_liberal]

46. I don't see the comparison as truly valid . . .

However, that is always good advice.

[pampango]

47. I'm sure you don't. n/t