Norwegian authorities have accused Russian hackers of briefly taking control of a dam in western Norway, releasing millions of gallons of water before the breach was contained.
According to Beate Gangås, head of Norway’s security police service, the attack occurred in early April when hackers infiltrated the Bremanger dam’s computer systems. The intruders allegedly opened a floodgate, releasing water equivalent to about three Olympic-sized swimming pools over a four-hour period.
Speaking Thursday, Gangås directly blamed the incident on Russian hackers, citing intelligence gathered by the agency. The Russian embassy in Norway has denied any involvement, according to Reuters.
The breach is the latest in a series of cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure in Europe and beyond. Russia has previously been linked to major disruptions in Ukraine’s power grid in 2015 and 2016, which caused widespread blackouts. Cybersecurity experts warn that energy systems remain a prime target for state-backed hacking groups.
Authorities say the quick containment of the breach at Bremanger prevented more serious damage, but the incident underscores growing concerns over the vulnerability of vital infrastructure to foreign cyber threats.
