Sweden foils pro-Russian cyberattack on thermal power plant

Wednesday 15 April 2026 - 11:45

Swedish authorities have successfully disrupted a cyberattack targeting a thermal power plant in western Sweden, which was carried out by a pro-Russian hacking group, according to officials.

The attempted intrusion occurred in spring 2025 and was aimed at disrupting operations at critical energy infrastructure. However, the attack ultimately failed due to built-in security systems, preventing any major damage or operational disruption.

Swedish Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin confirmed that intelligence services were able to identify the actors behind the attack, who are believed to have links to Russian security and intelligence structures.

Authorities emphasized that while the incident did not result in any serious consequences, it reflects an increasing level of cyber pressure on national infrastructure. Sweden has reported a rise in cyber threats since the start of the war in Ukraine, particularly targeting energy and industrial systems.

Officials warned that the nature of such attacks appears to be evolving, with state-linked or state-aligned groups becoming more willing to take risks in targeting critical infrastructure abroad.

The Swedish government stated that it decided to publicly disclose the incident to raise awareness about cybersecurity threats and to encourage stronger preparedness across society and industry.

Experts note that energy facilities are increasingly attractive targets in modern hybrid conflicts, where cyber operations are used alongside traditional geopolitical pressure to destabilize critical services.