Could Putin's threats to the West refer to a potential major cyber attack? Rather than nuclear?

[AbsentmindedWoman]

Am I clutching at straws here?

If a major cyber attack took out the grid for example, it would be immediately catastrophic for us in the country that it happened in - but wouldn't have the same lasting effects as nuclear.

Not downplaying the gravity of an attack on the grid btw. But until last night, I was not concerned at all about a nuclear strike, and now I have to admit my mindset has shifted. And anything seems preferable to nukes, frankly.

Or does he just not care about mutual assured destruction anymore?

I guess it would be something we haven't seen before.

But isn't this what people in position of power do, make threats even empty ones? It's terrifying but not unexpected for him to say things like this, he's also been deliberately vague about what the threat is. Obviously there is always the chance he doesn't care about mutual destruction but keeping us afraid means he can get on with what he wants to do.

Pretty sure no-one has the ability to mount a cyber attack of that kind.

@daimbarsatemydogsbone

Pretty sure no-one has the ability to mount a cyber attack of that kind.

Unfortunately you'd be wrong in that assumption. We've already seen hackers target critical infrastructure in other countries.

@SNUG2022

I guess it would be something we haven't seen before.

Yes, exactly. We haven't seen a cyber attack on that scale before. Nobody has made the lights go out.

A counter attack on the grid somewhere in Russia would inflict intense suffering on swathes of Russian people, of course - but would not destroy the soil/ air/ water, so not the same deterrent as MAD.

@AbsentmindedWoman

Am I clutching at straws here?

If a major cyber attack took out the grid for example, it would be immediately catastrophic for us in the country that it happened in - but wouldn't have the same lasting effects as nuclear.

Not downplaying the gravity of an attack on the grid btw. But until last night, I was not concerned at all about a nuclear strike, and now I have to admit my mindset has shifted. And anything seems preferable to nukes, frankly.

Or does he just not care about mutual assured destruction anymore?

I think a cyber attack is a definite possibility and allows focus on specific areas and can be scaled whereas nuclear doesn’t allow much room for manoeuvre.

Putin is extremely dangerous but I don’t think he’s a die-hard maniac.

We've already seen hackers target critical infrastructure in other countries

Yes. Hackers targeted the Irish healthcare system last year with some success. Appalling and really scary, people had operations and treatments postponed.

I don't think we are going to go into an a nuclear war with Putin, cyber attacks happen all the time though and will probably be increasing on frequency and severity.

DH works for a major bank, they are just going into a zoom meeting to discuss contingency for just this event and locking down certain money movement facilities . Amber alert apparently

I was just having this conversation with dh. I can believe they’re capable.

@daimbarsatemydogsbone

Pretty sure no-one has the ability to mount a cyber attack of that kind.

They certainly do.

@daimbarsatemydogsbone

Pretty sure no-one has the ability to mount a cyber attack of that kind.

Wishful thinking, unfortunately.

A cyber attack would leave many more resources and potential subjects intact. As JFK put it, the fruits of victory in a nuclear war would be as ashes in our mouths. The Russians aren’t crazy enough to start a 99 Balloons scenario. Yes, I’m old as dirt.

I’m scared they’ll attack the nhs :(

Also we know how ruthless putin is.

The banks in particular are on high alert for this.

@BiscuitLover3678

I’m scared they’ll attack the nhs :(

Also we know how ruthless putin is.

The cyber attack on the nhs a few years ago was a terrible few days and seriously affected patient care. I was working that weekend and it was a total nightmare. Did they ever discover who did it as there were whispers about the Russians at the time? Hope they weren’t having a practice run?

Cutting off fuel supplies too? Although that wouldn't be unseen before. Cyber attacks are likely I think. Payday tomorrow, might withdraw it all!

My DH is head of cybersecurity for a large UK financial company. He has been dealing with the Ukraine/Russia issues all day today. It is a very real threat.

I don’t know @CovidCorvid it really wouldn’t surprise me. They just play so dirty, like the whole Salisbury poisoning incident.

It’s like what do we do? We can’t just let them get away with it and know they can do more, but we also don’t know what kind of backlash there will be.

Anyone else worried the public are also going to start acting crazy and causing more problems?

Because they’re scared?

I wouldn’t feel very happy if I was a Russian in the uk atm!

@BiscuitLover3678

I don’t know *@CovidCorvid* it really wouldn’t surprise me. They just play so dirty, like the whole Salisbury poisoning incident.

It’s like what do we do? We can’t just let them get away with it and know they can do more, but we also don’t know what kind of backlash there will be.

Anyone else worried the public are also going to start acting crazy and causing more problems?

Yes, if people start panic buying again I'll be pissed off!

Russia definitely has the capability to do this. So does China.

Problem is, they are likely already in systems and just waiting for the go ahead to 'push the button' as it were. Getting in is the part that can take months, once in they just create a backdoor to get back in again. So if he threatens that, they are likely already in.

Anyone else worried the public are also going to start acting crazy and causing more problems?

Not right now, but yes if there is upheaval caused by major disruption that interrupts things like card payments for groceries, let alone anything else. Yes absolutely.

Russia does have the ability to do this and they already have. Google the Notpetya virus and how it took down large amounts of Ukrainian infrastructure a few years ago. It then spread and brought the giant shipping company Maersk to its knees.