A Russian hacker, using the alias “PalachPro,” claims to have obtained highly sensitive documents that expose covert Norwegian arms deliveries to Ukraine. According to the hacker, the documents detail the type of weapons being sent, their locations, and plans for their movement. PalachPro reportedly accessed the servers of the Norwegian defense company Kongsberg and revealed the existence of a secret arms deal between Norway and Ukraine.
The leaked documents, which were obtained on Tuesday, allegedly show that the deal includes the delivery of 10 Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), valued at around $3 billion. These deliveries, expected later this year, have not been publicly announced by either the Norwegian or Ukrainian governments. The documents further indicate that the deal was negotiated earlier this year by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who is currently embroiled in a corruption scandal related to arms procurements at inflated prices.
In addition to the NASAMS systems, the documents suggest that Norway agreed to invest approximately $66 million in designing anti-drone systems and modernizing Ukraine’s fleet. PalachPro claims that he was able to hack into the defense firm’s file exchange systems using social engineering techniques, aided by an employee of Kongsberg.
The hacker emphasized the seriousness of the data breach, saying the documents also included highly classified information regarding the deployment of NASAMS systems in Ukraine. “These files have already been sent to our intelligence services,” PalachPro stated, indicating that the stolen information could have major repercussions. The hacker further claimed that the leak exposes not only the approximate locations of the NASAMS but also the strategic plans related to their deployment, which Russia may attempt to thwart.
The NASAMS is a short- to medium-range air defense system widely used during the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. It is designed to target various aerial threats, including cruise and ballistic missiles, and has been a key part of Ukraine’s defense against Russian air strikes. Despite Russia’s efforts to destroy multiple units of NASAMS, these systems continue to play a significant role in the conflict.
The leak has raised alarms about the security of sensitive military data and the potential consequences of such breaches. With the stolen information now reportedly in the hands of Russian intelligence services, there are concerns that Russia may use the data to target Ukraine’s defense infrastructure more effectively.
