Hacktivist group Anonymous set to target Western firms operating in Russia
Many companies issued statements of withdrawing operations from Russia soon after
• Many companies issued statements of withdrawing operations from Russia soon after
Hacker group Anonymous has added Western companies who are still doing business with Moscow as its next target in the cyber war against Russia.
In a tweet by @YourAnonTV, which was liked more than 23,000 times, Anonymous issued a warning asking companies to leave Russia within 48 hours.
“We call on all companies that continue to operate in Russia by paying taxes to the budget of the Kremlin’s criminal regime: Pull out of Russia!” the group wrote.
The tweet was accompanied with a logo of more than 40 companies such as Subway, Burger King, and Nestle among others.
Tire firm Bridgestone said by the time they were targeted by Anonymous, they had already publicly announced that they were pulling business from Russia.
Bridgestone replied to the tweet stating, “Thank you for reaching out. Bridgestone is suspending manufacturing and sales activities in Russia until further notice.” It further added a link to the company’s press statement.
Three targeted oil field service companies — Halliburton, Baker Hughes and Schlumberger — also issued announcements about halting their Russian business operations.
French car manufacturer Renault and packaged foods manufacturer Nestle, were singled out by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during televised addresses to European governments and citizens. Renault has since announced it was suspending activities in a Moscow manufacturing plant.
With inputs from CNBC
