Tags in this story
bomb threats, conflict, Crypto, crypto payments, Cryptocurrencies, Cryptocurrency, EU, false alarms, Iran, Iran, Macedonia, Macedonia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia, Russia, Serbia, Threats, Ukraine, Ukrainian, VPN, War
North Macedonia Says Bomb Threats Come From Russia, Crypto Used To Hide Origin – Bitcoin News
The government in North Macedonia believes that an ongoing wave of false bomb threats against public targets in the country comes from Russia and Iran. The authorities in Skopje also say that payments related to the attacks were made with cryptocurrency to hide their tracks.
Over 700 facilities targeted by bomb threats in North Macedonia, attackers used crypto
The Balkan nation of North Macedonia has received bomb threats, allegedly from Russia and Iran, according to a statement from a top government official. On Monday, Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski said the authorities are working hard to keep the country’s security systems safe.
“This is an intense hybrid attack that has targeted more than 720 facilities since October 19,” Spasovski revealed. Quoted by Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, he pointed out that a few of these cases have already been resolved. “We now have an isolated group and the matter is being worked on,” Spasovski added, detailing:
In recent days, e-mails have been sent from addresses in Iran and Russia, and payments to the VPN [virtual private network] services made of cryptocurrencies, making tracking difficult.
North Macedonia, Serbia and neighboring Montenegro have seen a series of bomb threats since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24 last year. So far, all have turned out to be false alarms.
Over the past two months, malls and other public buildings have been the main target of such threats with work and education often coming to a halt for several days, the report noted.
Serbian authorities have claimed that the foreign intelligence services in Ukraine and an unidentified EU member state were behind the threats. Russia and Iran have yet to comment on the allegations.
Both sides in the war between Russia and Ukraine have used cryptocurrencies to finance their military efforts. According to a report published by blockchain investigative firm Elliptic on the first anniversary of the conflict, Ukrainian supporters have sent at least $212 million in crypto donations while pro-Russian groups have collected close to $5 million in digital assets.
Do you think these bomb threats are related to the war in Ukraine? Share your thoughts on the topic in the comments section below.
Image credit: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or an endorsement or recommendation of products, services or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is directly or indirectly responsible for damages or losses caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on content, goods or services mentioned in this article.
