Pro-Russian Hackers Arrested in Spain for Alleged Cyberattacks

Three pro-Russian hackers have been arrested in Spain for alleged cyberattacks against NATO countries for terrorist purposes. The suspects targeted public and private institutions in countries supporting Ukraine. The group, NoName057(16), is responsible for these attacks, which followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The investigation is ongoing.

Three pro-Russian hackers have been arrested in Spain for alleged cyberattacks against Spain and other NATO countries, Spanish police reported on Saturday. The suspects were accused of participating in distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks targeting public institutions and strategic sectors, according to the Civil Guard.

It remains unclear whether the three unnamed suspects have been formally charged or detained. The cyberattacks were allegedly conducted against websites of public and private entities within government sectors, critical infrastructure, and essential services in nations supporting Ukraine in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Civil Guard noted.

A video shared by police on social media platform X showed a raid at one suspect's home, where a Soviet-era hammer and sickle flag was prominently displayed. The Civil Guard stated that the attacks were organized by the hacktivist group NoName057(16), which emerged following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and has been one of the most active groups. The group's founding manifesto claims they will 'respond proportionately' to what they consider hostile anti-Russian actions by Western countries. The arrests occurred in Manacor on Spain's Balearic Island of Mallorca, as well as in Huelva and Seville in southern Spain. According to police, the investigation is still ongoing.

(With inputs from agencies.)