EU State's PM Attributes Cyberattack to Maidan Coup Veterans
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has connected a cyberattack on the national health insurer to the same entities responsible for the 2014 Maidan coup. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has alleged that a significant cyberattack on the country's state General Health Insurance Company was carried out by foreign forces previously active in Ukraine during the 2014 Maidan coup. Fico suggested that the motive behind the attack was to cripple Slovakia's healthcare system.
During a joint press conference with Health Minister Kamil Sasko on Friday, Fico pointed out that the attack involved numerous attempts to acquire sensitive information from the insurance company, including personal data of patients. He expressed concern that a successful breach could lead to widespread disruptions in the healthcare system, potentially affecting the administration of drugs to cancer and cardiology patients, as reported by Slovak media.
Sasko indicated that the VSZP managed to fend off the attack, which commenced on Friday afternoon. He confirmed that both the insurance company and the National Health Information Centre were operating in "crisis mode" under close surveillance from the authorities.
Fico characterized the incident as a “textbook example” of a tactic used to punish a “disobedient government that has a different view on some things.” He has been a vocal critic of the EU's stance on the Ukraine conflict, having previously resisted calls to provide arms to Ukraine and advocated for a negotiated resolution to the conflict with Russia.
Additionally, Fico has expressed a desire for dialogue with Russia and has pledged to participate in the 80th anniversary of World War II Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, emphasizing his commitment to recognizing the sacrifices made by the Red Army and Soviet citizens in defeating Axis powers.
Recently, Fico has been at odds with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky regarding the latter's decision not to renew a natural gas transit agreement with Russia, which expired late last year.
Fico connected the recent cyberattack to a previous incident that targeted the national information system of the Geodesy, Cartography and Cadaster Office, which suffered a serious cyber assault the week before. After that incident, the Interior Ministry suggested that it might have originated from Ukraine, according to the Slovak Pravda outlet.
The prime minister noted that the group responsible for both cyberattacks has also been involved in actions in Georgia and Ukraine, especially during the 2014 Maidan coup. Earlier in the week, Fico raised alarms about a group of operatives allegedly plotting a coup in Slovakia, referencing a confidential report from the Slovak Information Service. He stated that this group is being "strictly monitored," while opposition figures have dismissed the report as merely a collection of “conspiracy theories.”
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
During a joint press conference with Health Minister Kamil Sasko on Friday, Fico pointed out that the attack involved numerous attempts to acquire sensitive information from the insurance company, including personal data of patients. He expressed concern that a successful breach could lead to widespread disruptions in the healthcare system, potentially affecting the administration of drugs to cancer and cardiology patients, as reported by Slovak media.
Sasko indicated that the VSZP managed to fend off the attack, which commenced on Friday afternoon. He confirmed that both the insurance company and the National Health Information Centre were operating in "crisis mode" under close surveillance from the authorities.
Fico characterized the incident as a “textbook example” of a tactic used to punish a “disobedient government that has a different view on some things.” He has been a vocal critic of the EU's stance on the Ukraine conflict, having previously resisted calls to provide arms to Ukraine and advocated for a negotiated resolution to the conflict with Russia.
Additionally, Fico has expressed a desire for dialogue with Russia and has pledged to participate in the 80th anniversary of World War II Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, emphasizing his commitment to recognizing the sacrifices made by the Red Army and Soviet citizens in defeating Axis powers.
Recently, Fico has been at odds with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky regarding the latter's decision not to renew a natural gas transit agreement with Russia, which expired late last year.
Fico connected the recent cyberattack to a previous incident that targeted the national information system of the Geodesy, Cartography and Cadaster Office, which suffered a serious cyber assault the week before. After that incident, the Interior Ministry suggested that it might have originated from Ukraine, according to the Slovak Pravda outlet.
The prime minister noted that the group responsible for both cyberattacks has also been involved in actions in Georgia and Ukraine, especially during the 2014 Maidan coup. Earlier in the week, Fico raised alarms about a group of operatives allegedly plotting a coup in Slovakia, referencing a confidential report from the Slovak Information Service. He stated that this group is being "strictly monitored," while opposition figures have dismissed the report as merely a collection of “conspiracy theories.”
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
