Data leaks in Russia have spiked this year, with about 50 significant incidents reported so far.
Transforming Cyber Threats looming over Russia: A Perspective
Hey there! Let's delve into the cybersecurity landscape in Russia, especially focusing on the first quarter of 2025.
Quite the revelation! Reports suggest that there were approximately 37 to 46 data breaches throughout the first three months of the year, affecting Russian citizens. These breaches resulted in the exposure of around 21.5 million unique phone numbers and 17 million email addresses, according to cybersecurity companies. This disturbing information comes from an article published by Izvestia.
Meanwhile, Moscow's federal service for oversight in the sphere of communications, information technology, and mass media, Roskomnadzor, reported 25 cases of personal data leaks from January to March.
On a tangent, it seems that logistics companies are a hotbed for such breaches, with information and entertainment resources following closely in ascent. Interestingly, back in 2024, financial organizations were in the lead, with a massive 145 million phone numbers and 51 million emails of their clients compromised. Intriguingly, online stores and marketing services topped the list of most affected in 2024.
Data from logistics companies and entertainment services appear to be particularly susceptible to breaches. Owners of botnets are reportedly snatching up this information in the murky corners of the black market, on the hunt for exclusive leaks. Today's darknet forums are brimming with ads enticing buyers with offers like "buy new bases exclusively," with prices that can soar from mere thousands to even tens of thousands of dollars.
The misuse of personal data for illegal activities, such as spam, fraudulent calls, credit card fraud, and even outright theft, is a clear and present danger. Ordinary users find themselves defenceless against these crimes. The responsibility for the data's security largely rests with the operators processing this information.
But wait, there's more! While specific details about Q1 2025 data breaches affecting Russians are scarce, broader ransomware trends and regional cybersecurity developments provide some insight:
- Ransomware's relentless surge: A staggering 126% year-over-year increase in ransomware victims globally was observed in Q1 2025, with 2,289 publicly disclosed incidents. While the Cl0p's Cleo file transfer platform exploit dominated the quarter, no specific mention of Russian organizations appears in the provided data.
- Late-April leak reports: A separate report from April 2025 indicates that there were 37 data leaks in Russia throughout 2025, compromising 21.5 million records (a specific breakdown of phone numbers and emails was not provided in the report). Although this spans from January to April, the quarterly distribution remains undisclosed.
- Emerging threats: Local cybersecurity reports highlight the increasing threat of financial fraud and managed file transfer vulnerabilities, although detailed Q1 metrics are not included in the sources provided.
Stay tuned for more updates on this ever-evolving digital frontier!
Moscow, Zoya Oskolkova
© 2025, RIA "Novy Day"
[1] source for ransomware statistics[3] source for ransomware statistics[4] source for 2025 data leak report[5] source for emerging threats in Russia's cybersecurity space
- In the year 2025, hackers are reportedly snatching up data from logistics companies and entertainment resources, selling this information on the black market for hefty sums, citing ads like "buy new bases exclusively" with prices ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars, creating a threat for the misuse of personal data for illegal activities.
- Cybersecurity expert Zoya Oskolkova highlights the increasing threat of financial fraud and managed file transfer vulnerabilities in Russia's cybersecurity space, further emphasizing the need for enhanced data protection measures.
- A report from Q1 2025 suggests that there were 37 data leaks in Russia throughout the year, compromising 21.5 million records, although the specific distribution for the quarter remains undisclosed.
- Citing a report published by Izvestia, approximately 37 to 46 data breaches occurred in the first quarter of 2025, affecting Russian citizens and exposing around 21.5 million unique phone numbers and 17 million email addresses.
