Largest Russian Meat Producer, Miratorg, Hit with Destructive Cyber Attack

Russian meat producer giant Miratorg Agribusiness Holding has been targeted by a major cyber-attack. The systems used by the company were encrypted using the built-in Windows feature BitLocker. Miratorg personnel stated they believe the attackers did not intend to financially extort the company, as with most ransomware attacks, but rather sabotage Russia’s largest food supplier. While attribution has not been made yet, Russia’s various agencies believe this attack came from “the West”. Russia’s food safety authority Rosselkhoznadzor released an announcement stating this cyber-attack “is a manifestation of the informational and economic ‘total war’ that the collective West unleashed against Russia.” The attack originated from a state information system used by Miratorg as well as veterinary services across Russia called “VetIS”, making this breach a supply chain attack. It has also affected many of Miratorg Holding’s subsidiaries across the country. The company has assured Russian citizens that this attack will not affect the food supply to the country during critical times as they “have a track record of good reputation” and are putting systems in place to rebuild.