Russian propagandists successfully breach and manipulate Balticom's TV broadcasts temporarily.

Propaganda content from the Kremlin was briefly aired on television channels managed by the communications operator Balticom, according to LETA's report on May 9, due to a cyber attack.

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2025 September 11 . 5:57 PM

2 min read

Russian propaganda temporarily takes over Balticom's TV broadcasts

Russian propagandists successfully breach and manipulate Balticom's TV broadcasts temporarily.

In an unexpected turn of events, a cyber attack targeted Balticom's content delivery partner outside Latvia on May 9, 2024. This incident resulted in a disruption of television retransmissions for the affected company.

According to preliminary investigations, the Balticom operator's own infrastructure has not been compromised. However, the interactive TV server of Balticom, which is offered by the company MediaKind, was the target of the attack. This server, based in Bulgaria, also provides IP television service to several operators in other countries.

Ivars Abolins, chairman of the National Electronic Mass Media Council, announced the cyber attack, and Balticom's CEO, Anastasija Muizniece, confirmed that all IT specialists are working diligently to resolve the issue.

The attack caused around 5% of Balticom's subscribers to experience changes in their television services. In response, Balticom has reached out to "Cert", the State Security Service, and the administration of the NEPLP for assistance.

"Cert.lv" is investigating the incident in cooperation with Balticom. Gints Malkalnietis, an expert from "Cert.lv", explained that they are working to understand how the server was hacked. Meanwhile, "Cert.lv" is still awaiting information from the host of the Balticom server.

The cyber attack allowed Russian propaganda content, specifically the May 9 parade outside the Kremlin in Moscow, to be broadcast on all of Balticom's rebroadcast television programs during the attack. This is concerning as it marks the second case in a short time when Russian propaganda content has reached Latvian viewers as a result of a cyber attack.

The supplier of the Balticom server also provides services to other operators in various countries, raising concerns about potential similar attacks elsewhere. The incident is ongoing, and further details may be revealed as the investigation continues.

The National Electronic Mass Media Council has stated that Balticom's operator's own infrastructure is not compromised. Balticom has also assured that other types of television services on their platform are unaffected by the cyber attack.

In the wake of this incident, concerns about cyber security and the potential for hybrid warfare tactics by Russia have been raised. Balticom has retransmitted the changed content from the compromised content delivery partner, and efforts are underway to restore normal service as quickly as possible.