Italian institutions, companies hit by 'Russian-linked cyberattack'

By Baris Seckin

ROME (AA) - A Russian hacking group targeted some Italian institutions and companies following a visit by Italy’s prime minister to Ukraine, media reports said Wednesday.

Some of Italy’s leading institutions and companies reportedly experienced a cyberattack by the hacking group, called NoName057, said the state-run ANSA news agency.

The report said that on Telegram, NoName057 mentioned Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's visit Tuesday to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, adding "we will continue our fascinating journey through Russophobic Italy."

Italy’s Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, Interior Ministry, BPER Bank and the digital infrastructure of Telecom Italia were among those targeted by the hacking group.

On Feb. 5, Italy's National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) announced that Italian institutions had suffered a largescale ransomware hacking attack.