Norway accuses pro-Russian cybercriminals of hacking a dam

Norway’s Police Security Service (PST) stated on August 13, 2025, that it suspected pro-Russian cybercriminals of sabotaging a dam in the country’s southwest. This marks the first time a state authority has publicly linked the incident to Russia.

In April 2025, the attackers hacked into the control system of a dam on the Riselva River, a small facility used for fishing and separate from the power grid. The attack forced the sluice gates open for four hours, releasing large amounts of water before operators managed to regain control.

According to the PST, this unsophisticated attack was mainly symbolic, aiming to unsettle the population of a country heavily reliant on hydropower. The agency’s director, Beate Gangås, warned Norwegians to brace for further pro-Russian cyberattacks.