Russian Hackers Accused of Taking Over Hydropower Dam and Releasing 132 Gallons of Water per Second for Four Hours: Report

Norwegian counter-intelligence authorities have accused Russian hackers of taking control of a hydropower dam in Norway earlier this year.

Norwegian authorities say hackers gained control of a flood gate and emptied 132 gallons of water per second over four hours at a dam in Western Norway, Reuters reports .

The attack was then detected and halted before anyone was hurt, according to the authorities.

Beate Gangas, the director of the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST), reportedly attributed the attack to pro-Russian hackers in a recent speech.

“The aim of this type of operation is to influence and to cause fear and chaos among the general population. Our Russian neighbor has become more dangerous.”

Norway generates the majority of its electricity from hydropower dams.

The Russian embassy in Norway, however, tells Reuters that Gangas’ comments are “unfounded and politically motivated.”

“It is obvious that the PST is unsuccessfully trying to substantiate the mythical threat of Russian sabotage against Norwegian infrastructure this year, which it itself invented in its February (annual) report.” 

Richard Moore, the outgoing chief of the United Kingdom’s Secret Intelligence Service, warned about Russian hacking threats in a speech last year.

“We have recently uncovered a staggeringly reckless campaign of Russian sabotage in Europe, even as Putin and his acolytes resort to nuclear saber-rattling, to sow fear about the consequences of aiding Ukraine, and challenge Western resolve in so doing.”

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