The attack began on the morning of July 23, disrupting or severely hampering Russia's payment systems, bank mobile applications, personal accounts, and public transportation payment systems. Major disruptions have also been reported in the services of primary mobile operators and internet providers across the country.
Users are experiencing widespread issues with accessing digital services from major banks, including Alfa-Bank, Sberbank, Raiffeisen Bank, VTB Bank, Rosselkhozbank, Gazprombank, Tinkoff Bank, and iBank's online banking services.
Russia's national payment systems — the Fast Payment System (FPS) and the National Payment Card System (NSPK) — have been either blocked or significantly disrupted.
Russian users have taken to social media to express frustration over the inability to use mobile communication services or mobile internet from providers like Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2, and Rostelecom.
Russian authorities have acknowledged that the widespread disruption of online services is the result of an attack by "politically motivated hackers." Ukrainian intelligence officials indicate that the attack is ongoing and far from over.
"This situation ironically helps Russians achieve the 'objectives of their special military operation,' which, as they claim, is 'going according to plan,'" the NV source stated.
"Russia and Putin's supporters are returning to their 'roots and values': Western internet influences are fading, and online services are disappearing as 'hostile liberal values.' This is a prime opportunity to fully implement the Kremlin's 'import substitution' vision, using wooden abacuses, paper savings books, and 'cave wall' accounting. We are doing everything we can to expedite this process and bring Russians back to a time when bitcoin, stock markets, or even the dollar had no impact on their lives, simply because they won't have access to them."