Hackers suspected of working for Russia’s foreign intelligence agency targeted dozens of diplomats at embassies in Ukraine with a fake used car advert in a bid to break into their computers, according to a cybersecurity firm report published on Wednesday.

The wide-reaching espionage activity targeted diplomats working in at least 22 of the roughly 80 foreign missions in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, analysts at Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42 research division said in the report.

“The campaign began with an innocuous and legitimate event,” said the report, which was first reported by Reuters.

See Also:

Ukraine war: Irish fighter “Rambo” describes “terrifying” Russian tank chase

“In mid-April 2023, a diplomat within the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs emailed a legitimate flyer to various embassies advertising the sale of a used BMW 5-series sedan located in Kyiv”.

The Polish diplomat, who declined to be identified citing security concerns, confirmed the role of his advertisement in the digital intrusion.

Read more: Reuters