A sweeping international law enforcement operation has led to seven arrest warrants being issued against suspected members of the pro-Russia hacking collective NoName057(16). The group is accused of executing large-scale cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, power grids, arms manufacturers, and government agencies across Europe.
The operation involved coordinated efforts by law enforcement authorities in Germany, Spain, the U.S., France, Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, and Switzerland. German prosecutors confirmed that 24 locations tied to the group were searched, including sites in Berlin and Bavaria. Italy and Spain also contributed to the arrest process, with six warrants issued by Germany and one by Spain.
Telegram channels and botnets used to mobilize attacks
The hackers allegedly used Telegram channels to recruit over 4,000 volunteers who willingly lent their devices for distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on Western institutions. These attacks were timed and orchestrated with the intent of drawing media attention and influencing public opinion, prosecutors said.
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Authorities said the group maintained a botnet of several hundred infected servers to amplify attacks and paid volunteers using cryptocurrencies. Many of the attacks targeted government and financial websites in nations that support Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Although no direct state link has been confirmed, Europol and other agencies said the attackers acted in support of Russian interests. Five of the named suspects are Russian nationals believed to be residing in Russia. The organization reportedly followed a centralized command structure based in the Russian Federation.
Growing concerns over hybrid warfare
This case marks a growing concern among European nations over the evolving landscape of hybrid warfare, where cyberattacks, disinformation, and geopolitical tension intersect. The crackdown is one of the most expansive joint efforts to neutralize a hacktivist group accused of destabilizing public institutions across multiple borders.
