Massive Chinese cyberattack on Ukraine preceded Russian invasion: report

In the lead up to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) organized a series of cyberattacks on Kiev's military and nuclear infrastructure, according to a report from The Times.

Intelligence memos from Ukraine's intelligence service, the SBU, indicated more than 600 websites controlled by the Ukrainian government came under a coordinated barrage of thousands of cyberattacks. The agency attributed these efforts to Beijing, per the memos The Times obtained. Among the targets were border forces, railroads, and banking infrastructure.

The attacks reportedly began during the Winter Olympics and culminated on Feb. 23, the day before the Russian invasion. Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 and the conflict is ongoing.

China has attempted to distance itself from the Russian invasion, sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine and expressing its willingness to push for peace in the conflict. Beijing does, however, maintain close ties with Moscow and has expressed openness to assisting in the invasion, albeit without specifying the form in which such aid might materialize.

Reports of Russia seeking Chinese aid have prompted warnings from the West that Beijing might face sanctions similar to those Russia now endures should it help its ally in the military effort.