Unknown hackers broadcast fake information on Ukrainian radio on Thursday, claiming President Volodymyr Zelensky had serious health problems and was in intensive care, according to Ukrainian officials.
A post on the Telegram channel of the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine said hackers were able to take over the radio waves in order to spread news of the fake emergency. The hackers claimed that power had been turned over to Ruslan Stefanchuk, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada — Ukraine’s parliament.
CIA CHIEF SAYS THERE IS NO EVIDENCE PUTIN’S HEALTH IS SUFFERING
“In this case, the goal of the hackers was Ukrainian radio, the effect was disinformation, the goal was political and military destabilization, the relationship was a war between Russia and Ukraine,” Volodymyr Styran, Ukrainian cybersecurity expert and co-founder of cybersecurity firm Berezha Security Group, told the Kyiv Independent.
The perpetrators behind the hack are currently unknown. The fake announcement was broadcast over a Ukrainian music station from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday. It is unknown how many people the broadcast reached.
Zelensky took to Instagram to debunk the assertions personally.
“Today Russia has launched another fake news, claiming that the state is not run by President Zelensky, as he is in the hospital, or rather in intensive care, due to his serious condition. Serious health condition. Anyways, I am in the office. I have never felt as strong as I am now. And bad news for all of you who spread such fake news. I am not alone, there are 40 million of us. And, with all due respect to old age, 44 is not 70,” he said, as translated by Ukrinform. His concluding comment was a dig at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s age and health.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Putin’s health has come under intense scrutiny since the beginning of Russia’s invasion in February, with many suggesting that the Russian president was seriously ill. However, CIA Director William Burns denied such rumors at the Aspen Security Forum on Wednesday, saying, “There are lots of rumors about President Putin’s health, and as far as we can tell, he’s entirely too healthy.” The following day, MI6 Chief Richard Moore agreed with his assessment.
