Annals of Crisis in Estonia: Russia Stoops to Cyber Terrorism

Filed under: Estonia

Radio Free Europe reports that the Kremlin, acting through its youth cult Nashi, has initiated cyber attacks on Estonian websites in retaliation for Estonia daring to move a monument to Soviet soldiers, using the Nashi youth cult as a front:

In the last few days, several Estonian government websites went down, including the sites of the Estonian president, parliament, cabinet ministers, and the Foreign and Defense ministries. The website of Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, who many consider to be behind the removal of the Bronze Soldier, was also hacked. Estonian Justice Minister Rejn Lang said on April 30 that the Internet-protocol addresses show that the attack was carried out from Moscow state institutions. "The aim of the attack was to paralyze the republic's information infrastructure. That proves that some forces in Moscow have completely lost their prudence." Lang said. Konstantin Goloskov, a Nashi activist, told the Rosbalt news agency on May 2 that he personally took part in cyber-attacks on Estonian websites. But he denied that Moscow state offices were used. The hacking, he said, was done from the breakaway Moldovan region of Transdniester. Estonian websites weren't the only ones targeted. The Russian daily Kommersant and the Ekho Moskvy radio station, which were critical of the Kremlin for its handling of the situation, also had their websites hacked.

Blogger David McDuff reports that Estonia's leading newspaper, Postimees ("the Courier"), also came under attack for its strong editorial stance against Russia (as of this posting, its website was in fact down). RFE says that these moves betray desperation and weakness on the part of the Kremlin: "Breaking off ties with Estonia is unlikely to be popular with the government and the public, as it would have negative consequences for the ethnic Russian community in Estonia, which makes up around one-third of the population. Moreover, trade between the two countries is worth less than $300 million. Estonia, especially with European Union backing, could easily find other partners in the case of economic sanctions. It is also possible that the Kremlin will soften its campaign against Estonia, fearing that further pressure would consolidate the West against Russia." RFE sums up the enormous blunder committed here by the Kremlin: "Away from the political drama, the real losers in this crisis are likely be Estonia's ethnic Russians, who have become further ostracized in their own country."

Russia can't carry on an honest debate so, just as in Soviet times, it seeks to silence its critics with crude violence. How is it is possible this rogue nation has been allowed into the G-8 fold?

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