Russian Hackers Attack Europe in Name of Homeland in Crypto-Fueled Great Patriotic Cyberwar

NoName057(16) launches “Patriotic Online Games” hacking campaign
Targets European organizations supporting Ukraine
Volunteers rewarded with cryptocurrencies for their attacks

NoName057(16), a pro-Russian hacker group known for its DDoS attacks against Western organizations, has launched a hacking initiative to involve as many cybercriminals as possible in attacks against organizations in Europe.

According to Cybersecurity Insiders, the group used Telegram to call on “patriotic volunteers” who would then be given specific missions, ranging from DDoS attacks to information gathering missions to ransomware. Organizers are calling the campaign “Patriotic Online Games,” likely to attract larger crowds and hide the fact that it is essentially a criminal enterprise.

The targets are primarily European countries that have expressed support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. They include government agencies, financial institutions and critical infrastructure organizations. Those who succeed in their task are paid in cryptocurrency, supposedly paid directly into their wallets.

Who is NoName057(16)?

NoName057(16) is a very active threat actor, seen carrying out highly disruptive DDoS attacks, striking Taiwanese critical infrastructure companies, and striking Italian airports.

A few months ago, the Italian government claimed to have successfully foiled a series of cyberattacks targeting the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina. At the time, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the attack hit facilities linked to the 2026 Winter Games, including hotels in the Alpine resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo where athletes were staying.

The large-scale attack reportedly hit approximately 120 targets, including Department of Foreign Affairs offices in the United States, as well as consulates in Sydney, Toronto and Paris. La Sapienza University in Rome was also hit in an apparently separate attack, also attributed to Russian-linked hackers.

On Telegram, NoName057(16) confirmed that the victims were targeted due to Italy’s support for Ukraine: “The Italian government’s pro-Ukrainian policy means that support for Ukrainian terrorists is punished by our DDoS attacks,” the group said on Telegram.

Russia generally dismisses all such claims as “Russophobia” or politically motivated and unsubstantiated assessments.

Via Cybersecurity Insiders