Hacktivist Group Anonymous Claims it Hacked Russian Printers to Spread Anti-War Sentiment

In a tweet posted on Tuesday, Mar. 22nd, the international hacktivist group known as Anonymous claims it has remotely activated various printers set across Russia with anti-war messages being relayed through the machines. This detailed report by the unknown hackers is only one in several disruptions made over the past several weeks since Russia invaded Ukraine.

The message on social media claiming the hack reads:

"We have been printing anti-propaganda and To installation instructions to printers all over [Russia] for 2 hours, and printed 100,000+ copies so far. 15 people working on this op as we speak."

In an earlier social media post made on Sunday, a potential Anonymous hacker going by the name @DepaixPorteur showcases the Russian message mentioned above, highlighting that "Already over 40,000+ copies" were being distributed to "156 Russian printers." One Twitter user replied with a screenshot of Google Lens, which translated the message as follows:

"A wad of paper and ink is a cheap price for the blood of the innocent. Fight for your heritage and honor, overthrow Putin's corrupt system that steals from your pockets. Return respect. Give peace and glory to Ukraine, which did not deserve the murder of its innocents!"

In an article by International Business Times, the aforementioned Twitter user and supposed group member @DepaixPorteur explains how Anonymous is attempting to teach Russians how to use and install Tor software, which is essentially an open-source internet browser that will allow for easier communications between potential Russian defectors and the hacktivists.

The ideal concept put forth by Anonymous in this situation is to ensure Russians who want real tangible information can get it via other means as opposed to the state-run censored media utilized by the public. According to IBT, Anonymous told the site a massive data dump was in the works that "will blow Russia away," which may sound apocalyptic but is more so a threat that Russia should take seriously.

Those behind the supposed Anonymous printer hack on Tuesday point to both #OpRedScare and Anonymous Strategic Support (A.S.S.) as the main culprits. It's only one of many in a long string of varied hacks and data leaks purportedly wrought by the hacktivist collective, who were recently pinpointed as among the most active hacking group working against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

From derailing necessary governmental websites to mass ordering pizzas, Anonymous has been incredibly forthwith in its role in derailing Russia's war effort. While the communique sent on Tuesday may seem more open in its stance in bridging those Russians who want to defect to the side of Anonymous, the potential any individual would no sooner give up their birthplace due to outside reasonings seems slim, but is certainly worth a shot.

Although peace talks have been discussed and put on the table, the invasion continues with Ukraine suffering the most in its nearly month-long conflict. Nearly 900 Ukrainian civilians have lost their lives, and an additional 1,496 are wounded due to the continuous bombings and fighting plaguing the country.