Norway attributes Bremanger dam attack to pro-Russian hackers

Norway publicly attributed an April cyberattack on a Bremanger dam to pro-Russian hackers, describing the incident as a demonstration of hybrid warfare intended to influence public perception and sow fear rather than to inflict direct damage. The authorities said attackers gained access to the dam’s remote-control system and opened a water valve for about four hours, releasing roughly 7.2 million liters of water before operators detected and reversed the setting. No injuries or significant damage were reported, but the episode exposed security vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and highlighted ongoing concerns about Russia’s use of cyber operations to pressure Western nations.

Details provided by Norwegian officials indicate the intrusion targeted a digital system that governs at least one valve controlling water flow. The valve was left in an open position for the duration of the four-hour window, after which staff halted the release. A three-minute video showing the dam’s control panel, linked to a pro-Russian cybercriminal group, circulated on Telegram, reinforcing investigators’ view that the act served as a public demonstration of capability. Authorities described...