In the digital realm, a fierce confrontation unfolds between the “Axis of Evil” and global democracies. CRINK states are dynamically and decisively targeting the West, which must defend itself while seeking new tools to counter aggression in an increasingly digitalized world. This issue of the Electronic Warfare Digest is dedicated to cyber news.
China Hacks U.S. Treasury's Sanctions Office
Chinese hackers breached the U.S. Treasury Department office overseeing economic sanctions—one of the most powerful tools in America’s national security arsenal, according to The Washington Post.
Anonymous government sources claim the attack targeted the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Treasury Secretary’s Office, reflecting Beijing’s determination to obtain intelligence. The likely focus? Organizations under U.S. consideration for sanctions.
Sanctions Imposed on China’s Integrity Technology Group
The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Integrity Technology Group, a company linked to Flax Typhoon hackers, active since 2021 and allegedly state-sponsored by China. Their targets have included critical U.S. infrastructure.
Between summer 2022 and fall 2023, Flax Typhoon leveraged Integrity’s infrastructure and over 260,000 bots to attack computer systems globally—targeting American and foreign corporations, universities, government institutions, telecom providers, and media outlets.
Hybrid Attacks on Europe
Finland suspects a Russian oil tanker, part of the Kremlin’s “shadow fleet,” of damaging the Estonia-Finland EstLink 2 subsea energy cable and three other maritime telecom cables. An investigation into the potential sabotage is ongoing.
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas argues that these incidents are unlikely coincidences, suggesting coordinated efforts to threaten the bloc. "Sabotage is on the rise in Europe. We see diverse attacks—arson, cyberattacks, and election interference. The timing and precision of this recent damage to EstLink 2 and telecom cables point to deliberate efforts," Kallas stated.
She underscored that Russia poses a direct security threat to Europe, noting that security extends to the cyber domain.
Ukraine Plans to Establish Cyber Forces
A draft bill has been registered in Ukraine's parliament to create a NATO-standard military and technical organizational structure within the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This cyber force would oversee Ukraine’s cybersecurity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in the digital domain.
The proposed funding for the cyber force, outlined in the 2025 state defense budget, is approximately $14 million for radio-electronic and cyber warfare measures.
Ukraine's Cybersecurity Market Expands
In 2024, the market reached $138 million, growing by 13%, according to a DataDriven review.
Projections indicate a further 50% increase over the next five years, exceeding $200 million. Key growth areas include network security, cloud security, data protection, and endpoint protection—highlighting rising demand for cutting-edge technology and solutions in Ukraine. The full report is available online.
Follow our resources to receive the next ESCU Digest first.