Russian hackers threaten to shut down UK hospital ventilators after ‘member of their cyber crime gang’ arrested in UK
RUSSIAN hackers have threatened to shut down British hospital ventilators after an alleged member of their cyber crime gang was arrested in the UK.
A Putin cheerleader based in London was held after a police raid on Monday, following a high-tech assault on government websites in Romania.
His alleged comrades from the sinister Russian group Killnet last night warned they would disable life-saving ventilators across the UK if he is not released.
The suspect has previously crowed of his support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in Facebook posts emblazoned with Russian flags and the letter “Z”, the invasion symbol daubed on Russian tanks.
National Crime Agency cops and officers flown in from Romania swooped on an address in London for the raid.
The Putin fan was arrested under suspicion of assisting Killnet’s attacks, which were staged earlier this week on the Romanian government and media in retribution for supporting Ukraine in the conflict.
Killnet claimed responsibility for the hacks, which jammed the official government webpage and the defence ministry. Political parties, cultural organisations and companies were also targeted.
The group’s leaders went online to claim the arrested suspect had nothing to do with their action — but threatened to target NHS ventilators if he was not released within 48 hours.
Cyber crime sources close to the investigation warned last night that the threat was credible.
The warning, posted on the Telegram messaging site, threatened: “If he is not released within 48 hours I will destroy your Romania, Great Britain and Moldova.
“I will destroy your entire information structure and even your Ministry of Health.
‘Appropriate response’
“All ventilators will be attacked. Only then will you begin to realise the mistake you have made.”
The rant, from the group’s leader, was signed off with a black heart emoji beside a Russian flag.
The suspect had already been released under investigation when the threat was posted, but it is believed the group could carry out an attack if the case is pursued.
Analysts fear life-threatening cyber attacks by Russian tech terrorists could help trigger World War Three.
Thousands of ventilators in hospitals across the UK still remain vital in the battle to keep seriously ill Covid patients alive.
If Killnet’s links to the Russian state are proven, the attack against Romania or any action against the UK could technically trigger a Nato military response.
UK Government cybercrime experts accept hospital systems are vulnerable to such attacks, but insist they remain vigilant.
A source told The Sun last night: “The UK has robust cyber security measures in place and, working with partners, the NCA would lead an appropriate response to any cyber crime incident having a significant impact on the UK.”
