Ministry of Defence launches probe after Russian hackers put sensitive files on dark web

Claims that Russian hackers have stolen hundreds of sensitive military documents and published them on the dark web are being investigated by the Ministry of Defence

Claims that Russian hackers have stolen hundreds of sensitive military documents and published them on the dark web are being investigated by the Government.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it is “actively investigating” the reports and that it takes “a robust and proactive approach to cyber threats”.

Russian hackers have reportedly stolen military documents containing details of eight RAF and Royal Navy bases as well as MoD staff names and emails and posted them on the dark web.

According to the Mail on Sunday, cybercriminals gained access to the files by hacking a maintenance and construction contractor used by the MoD.

The attack reportedly targeted a third party, the Dodd Group, in September, with hackers warning: “Time is running out – you have the opportunity to resolve this matter before inevitable consequences unfold.”

Leaked documents seen by the newspaper include information about sensitive Navy and RAF bases, including RAF Lakenheath, in Suffolk, where the US Air Force’s F-35 stealth jets are based.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “We take a robust and proactive approach to cyber threats that could pose risks to national interests.

“We are actively investigating claims that information relating to the MOD has been published on the Dark Web.

“To safeguard sensitive operational information, we will not comment any further on the details.”

The hack follows a series of high profile data breaches at the MoD.

Personal data of service personnel and veterans, including names, bank details and some addresses, was in the payroll system which was accessed in the large-scale hack, revealed last year.

Up to 272,000 service personnel may have been affected.

The same year, the Government covertly set up the Afghanistan Response Route for people in the country whose details were leaked “in error” by a defence official in February 2022.