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How Did Europol Lead the Impressive Crackdown on a Pro-Russian Hacking Group?
Operation Eastwood was a far-reaching action. Police in Europe and the United States worked together. Their goal was to break up the cybercrime group NoName057(16), which supported Russia. The group mainly attacked Ukraine and many countries helping Ukraine, such as those in NATO.
From July 14 to 17, 2025, authorities disrupted the group’s servers and communication tools, limiting their power to cause harm. Dozens of countries and organizations partnered in this successful effort. The outcome was very positive for online safety.
The Key Facts
- NoName057(16) targeted Ukraine first, then NATO countries and allies.
- Operation Eastwood ran for several days in July 2025.
- More than 20 countries jointly took part.
- Over 100 server systems taken offline worldwide.
- 2 people were arrested; 7 international arrest warrants issued.
- 24 house searches happened in places like Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Czechia, and Poland.
- 13 suspects were questioned by police.
- Law enforcement warned over 1,000 supporters, including 15 group admins, about legal risks.
- Five suspects were added to the EU’s Most Wanted list.
How the Cyber Group Worked
NoName057(16) did not have a single leader. Instead, Russian-speaking sympathizers joined freely to use simple software tools. Many of them did not have special technical skills. Their main method was DDoS attacks. This means they flooded a website with fake visits until it stopped working for real users.
- The group used social media, encrypted messaging, and special forums to spread information.
- Gamification, like badges and rewards in cryptocurrency, kept supporters active.
- Volunteers would often invite friends from gaming or tech forums to join.
- Many attacks were tied to political events, such as talks about Ukraine or big international meetings.
Countries and Groups Involved
The crackdown needed teamwork. These are some participating partners:
- Germany, France, Finland, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands, Spain, Czechia, United States.
- Support from Belgium, Canada, Estonia, Denmark, Latvia, Romania, Ukraine.
- Help from private cybersecurity groups like ShadowServer.
Notable Attack Attempts
DDoS attacks aimed at Ukraine, then shifted to countries helping Ukraine.
Attacks included targets in Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
NoName057(16) targeted events like the NATO Summit in the Netherlands and Ukraine’s peace summit in Switzerland.
In Germany, 14 attack waves hit over 250 organizations from late 2023 to 2024. None of them caused major damage.
Why This Crackdown Matters
- The operation neutralized a network with over 4,000 supporters.
- The attack tools and guides were pulled down or blocked.
- Many attackers learned about the legal trouble they could be in, and some were named publicly.
- Critical websites and infrastructure in many countries were made safer.
The Main Steps in Dismantling NoName057(16)
- Server Disruption: Most core servers the group relied on were turned off.
- Arrests and Warrants: Leading suspects and helpers faced arrest or questioning.
- Searching and Warning: Home searches took place and many people were warned directly through messaging apps.
- International Cooperation: Teams across countries worked together using their best tools and legal methods.
- Cutting Off Recruitment: Key communication channels used for recruiting and instructions were broken up.
Operation Eastwood stopped a big threat. The police and many organizations stood together to protect digital life. Simple teamwork, smart planning, and steady action brought real results. The result is a safer online world, with many cyber criminals now facing the law.