Russia Uses Slovak Cyber Firm to Expose Ukrainian Soldiers Online

Defence affairs analysis

Russia is leveraging Slovakian technical services to publish sensitive information of Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemembers online, according to Slovakian media.

Personal information of troops in Ukraine is being published on Moscow-controlled websites as part of “information and psychological warfare” tactics amid its war with Ukraine, reports from Ján Kuciak Investigative Center and Aktuality said.

Alongside troop details, confidential data of their relatives, and some activists in Ukraine are also being posted in these portals dubbed “doxing” sites due to inciting aggression, humiliation, and intimidation.

“Doxing is a form of online stalking – attackers publish personal information about the victim – address, phone number, workplace – and mobilize online crowds to bully the victim,” according to Aktuality.

The outlets noted that the Russian websites also target public figures in Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.

The technical company named as a collaborator in this campaign is StormWall, a commercial hosting firm reportedly registered in Bratislava but owned by Russian nationals.

The company supports NewsFront, a Crimea-based news agency the US government has deemed a “Crimea‑based disinformation and propaganda outlet…particularly focused on supporting Russia‑backed forces in Ukraine” sanctioned following President Vladimir Putin’s launch of the “military operation” in Ukraine.

NewsFront has been registered in Bratislava since 2017, is owned by Russian nationals, and has also provided services for Moscow’s state-owned organizations, such as the TASS news agency and the MGIMO university.

“StormWall presents itself as an international company providing customized cybersecurity,” the Ján Kuciak Investigative Center said.

“Interestingly, it has two web addresses that look almost identical, but differ in essential details. It boasts technology centers in the US, Germany, Bulgaria, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Singapore.”