Three Things for January 26
1. Ukraine hit by missiles a day after the West pledged tanks
On Thursday Jan. 26, several regions in Ukraine were hit with missiles killing 11 people and injuring 11 more.
The worst damage being in Kyiv and officials reported two energy facilities were struck in the Odesa region, with 35 buildings were struck. Of 55 missiles were launched at Ukraine, 47 being shot down; only eight missiles reached their intended targets.
During the attack, the Russian government said the missiles were in response to the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany pledging to send tanks to Ukraine. Russia is interpreting these pledges as being “direct Western involvement in the conflict.”
This offense is a continuation of Russia’s persistent tactic of attacking vital Ukrainian infrastructure.
The tanks in question are Challenger 2s from the UK, M1 Abrams from the US, and Leopard 2s from Germany. The Leopard 2 is going to be the biggest game-changer for Ukraine, as it is internationally considered to be the most effective battle tank ever built.
For information about the attack on Ukraine and the tanks, click here.
2. FBI seizes website used by ransomware gang
On Thursday, Jan. 26, the FBI announced they seized the website used by the ransomware organization, HIVE.
At a press conference, Director Christopher Wray said the bureau “had extraordinary access to the so-called Hive ransomware group’s computer networks” since July. This enabled the bureau to help victims of HIVE and unlock their computers.
On Thursday, the website used displayed a message saying it had been taken over “as part of a coordinated law enforcement action” against HIVE by the FBI, Secret Service, and several European law enforcement agencies.
“Simply put, using lawful means, we hacked the hackers,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco at the same Thursday press conference.
Thursday’s press conference is the latest result in a series of efforts by the Justice Department to crack down on foreign ransomware organizations. The DOJ has seized millions of dollars in ransomware payments and is also urging companies to not pay the ransom.
For information about the seizure of the website, click here.
3. Congressional Research Service presents report regarding North Korean nuclear missile programs
On Monday, Jan. 23, the Congressional Research Service presented a report to Congress about ongoing North Korean nuclear missile programs. According to the report, North Korea continues to advance their nuclear programs despite sanctions by the United Nations Security Council and various diplomatic efforts.
In terms of nuclear testing, North Korea has detonated six nuclear devices since 2006, with each test producing progressively higher magnitudes. The most recent test was on Sept. 3, 2017 consisting of a hydrogen bomb via an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile.
In April of 2018, North Korea announced it had achieved their goals in terms of nuclear development, and would be shutting down the Punggye-ri nuclear test site. Two test tunnels were reportedly blown up in May of 2018 before the first summit between former President Donald Trump and Kim Jung-un.
During a meeting with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Oct. 2018, the North Korean leader “invited inspectors to visit the [test site] to confirm that it has been irreversibly dismantled,” however this never happened.
North Korea is also reported to have continued production of nuclear material intended for use in missiles. It renewed production after it withdrew from an international nuclear agreement in 2009. The country is operating centrifuge uranium enrichment plants at the Yongbyon nuclear complex. IAEA experts estimate North Korea has produced enough nuclear material to produce between 20 to 60 warheads.
To view the full report presented to congress, click here.
