Cyberattacks are part of Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy, designed not only to cause harm, but to “demonstrate what they are capable of.”

The Norwegian Police Security Service suspects pro-Russian hackers sabotaged a dam in southwestern Norway in April.

Norwegian daily newspaper VG reported that the hackers breached the dam’s control system, opening valves for four hours, sending large amounts of water gushing forth until the valves could be shut.

The chief of the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) Beate Gangås, disclosed the incident during a presentation on pro-Russian cyber operations at a public event on Wednesday.

According to VG, Gangås said that the number of cyberattacks on Western infrastructure was increasing, often not to cause damage but to “demonstrate what they are capable of.” She also said Norway should be prepared for further hacking attacks.

At the same event, Nils Andreas Stensønes, head of the Norwegian Intelligence Service said that Russia was the biggest threat to Norway’s security.

Cyberattacks on Western targets are part of Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy. In another water-related case in January 2024, a hacking group breached a Texas water facility’s system, causing it to overflow. The suspected hackers are linked to the Kremlin.

The dam is located in the municipality of Bremanger, approximately 150 kilometers north of the city of Bergen. Local media say that the dam is not used for energy production and that the hackers might have exploited a security gap created by a weak password.

morphisec - In the volatile aftermath of the Israel-Iran-USA conflict, a sophisticated cyber threat has re-emerged, targeting organizations across the West. Morphisec’s threat research team has uncovered the revival of Pay2Key, an Iranian-backed ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation, now operating as Pay2Key.I2P. Linked to the notorious Fox Kitten APT group and closely tied to the well-known Mimic ransomware, previously analyzed by Morphisec for its ELENOR-Corp variant, Pay2Key.I2P appears to partner with or incorporate Mimic’s capabilities. Officially, the group offers an 80% profit share (up from 70%) to affiliates supporting Iran or participating in attacks against the enemies of Iran, signaling their ideological commitment. With over $4 million in ransom payments collected in just four months and individual operators boasting $100,000 in profits, this campaign merges technical prowess with geopolitical motives. Our upcoming report includes personal communications from the group, revealing their dedication and the reasons behind rewriting their ransomware.

This blog introduces our technical analysis and OSINT findings, exposing Pay2Key.I2P’s operations and its ties to Mimic.

ince its debut in February 2025, Pay2Key.I2P has expanded rapidly. Strategic marketing on Russian and Chinese darknet forums, combined with a presence on X since January 2025, indicates a planned rollout. With over 51 successful ransom payouts in four months, the group’s effectiveness is undeniable.

While profit is a motivator, Pay2Key.I2P’s ideological agenda is clear. Their focus on Western targets, coupled with rhetoric tied to Iran’s geopolitical stance, positions this campaign as a tool of cyber warfare. The addition of a Linux-targeted ransomware build in June 2025 further expands their attack surface, threatening diverse systems.

The International Mobile System Is Exposed and a Loophole Allows Hackers, Cybercriminals and States to Geolocate Targets and Even Hijack Email and Web Accounts. Israelis Can Be Found Among the Victims - and the Attackers