Ukrainian media outlets are increasingly becoming priority targets for Russia-linked cyber operations, according to local officials. **Ukraine's domestic security agency (SBU)** has highlighted a growing trend of cyberattacks alongside the ongoing military conflict. **Volodymyr Karastelyov**, head of the **SBU**'s cyber department, revealed details of two previously unreported incidents targeting Ukrainian television broadcasters. ## Large-Scale DDoS Attack Repelled Earlier this year, an unnamed nationwide television channel was subjected to a large-scale **Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS)** attack. The three-hour assault generated up to 200,000 requests per minute from a botnet of compromised devices. **Karastelyov** confirmed the attack was successfully repelled before it could achieve its objective of disrupting operations. ## Phishing and Propaganda Attempt In another incident last year, Russian hackers targeted one of Ukraine's leading television groups. The attackers launched a sophisticated phishing campaign against the broadcaster's information systems while simultaneously attempting to gain access through connected infrastructure. Their goal was to seize control of the platform and publish propaganda disguised as legitimate content. This attack was also contained. ## A Broader Cyber Offensive Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago, the **SBU** reports having "neutralized" over 16,000 cyberattacks and cyber incidents. These targets include Ukrainian government agencies, financial institutions, defense organizations, and media outlets. **Ukraine's State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection (SSSCIP)**, in a report last year, stated that Russian hackers had executed more than 200 successful cyberattacks against Ukrainian media organizations since the invasion began. Tactics employed range from phishing campaigns and **DDoS** attacks to website defacements, destructive malware, and the unauthorized publication of disinformation on compromised platforms. ## Physical and Digital Threats Converge Beyond cyber warfare, Ukrainian media organizations continue to face direct physical threats. The **National Union of Journalists of Ukraine** has documented 80 incidents in the first half of this year where Russian attacks damaged media infrastructure or affected journalists. This includes destroyed or damaged editorial offices, broadcasting infrastructure, and journalists coming under fire. The office of **Ukraine's Channel 5** was damaged for the second time this week, with a recent strike causing significant damage to the television studio, filming equipment, and newsroom amidst a barrage of Russian missiles and drones.