Russian hackers hacked the computer tracking system of commercial ships and created the impression that their routes were drawn in a Z pattern tens of kilometers across the Black Sea, British experts say, stressing that this action increased the risk of maritime accidents.

Here’s what the British Ministry of Defense said in its Thursday morning assessment:

“Geollect’s analysis shows that beginning on May 14, 2023, Automatic Identification System (AIS) data from commercial vessels was remotely falsified to give the impression of a 65km-long pro-war Russian Z symbol in the Black Sea, visible in the open air. source tracking software.

AIS is used to track ships, including to ensure their safety. The tracks that make up the image show the ship speeding up to 102 knots (188 km/h), further proving that they are fake.

Pro-Russian agents likely conducted the data falsification as a psychological operation, likely in an attempt to boost Russian morale ahead of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.

AIS falsification increases the risk of marine accidents. Despite Russia’s psychological operations in the Black Sea, its physical fleet remains vulnerable: the intelligence-gathering vessel Ivan Khurs was likely attacked on May 24, 2023.”

(article photo: ©Moruzx|Dreamstime.com)