Russia tried to hack the official investigation into the downing of MH17

SHOCKING reports have emerged that Russian military hackers targeted an official investigation into the downing of MH17 over Ukraine.

RUSSIA’S military intelligence unit attempted cyber attacks of the official investigation into the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight 17, it has been claimed.

In an extraordinary revelation, the Dutch defence minister said hackers backed by the Kremlin had focused on a number of targets — including information about the MH17 probe.

Russia is accused of direct involvement in the missile attack of the commercial airliner over Ukraine on July 17, 2014.

The barbaric downing resulted in the deaths of 298 passengers and crew, including 38 people who called Australia home.

A Joint Investigation Team comprised of Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine found that the missile system used to destroy the plane was owned by Russia.

Malaysia Airlines flight 17 was shot down with a missile over Ukraine on July 17, 2014. Picture: AFP

Part of the BUK rocket that was fired at the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which came from a Russian military brigade. Picture: AFP

“Based on these findings, the only conclusion we can reasonably now draw is that Russia was directly involved in the downing of MH17,” then Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said in a statement in May.

And now, Dutch authorities have confirmed Russia tried to infiltrate computer systems with the express purpose of finding out information about the investigation.

Defence Minister Ank Bijleveld said hacking attempts were disrupted by Dutch authorities.

A global investigation determined Russia was directly involved in the downing of MH17 — allegations the Kremlin denied. Picture: AFP

Speaking about Russia’s hacking attempts into the MH17 crash investigation Thursday, she said: “We have been aware of the interest of Russian intelligence services in this investigation and have taken appropriate measures. We remain very alert about this.”

Other hacking attempts targeted the United Nations Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Dutch intelligence thwarted a Russian cyber attack targeting the global chemical weapons watchdog in April and expelled four Russian agents. Picture: AFP

Earlier today, British authorities said a series of global cyberattacks blamed on Russia were the actions of a “pariah state”.

It promised that the UK and its NATO allies would expose hacking activities.

British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Where Russia acts in an indiscriminate and reckless way, where they have done in terms of these cyberattacks, we will be exposing them.”

His remarks came after British and Australian officials said the Russian military intelligence unit known as GRU was behind a wave of global cyber attacks.

Russia denies involvement in a number of hacking attacks. Picture: AFP

Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre says four new attacks are associated with GRU as well as earlier cyberattacks.

Russia’s foreign ministry denied the allegations, describing the claims as “big fantasies.”

The Kremlin has also denied any involvement in the downing of MH17.

— with AP