The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Blumenthal warns of Russian cyberattacks
NEW HAVEN — U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal used his visit to St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church to issue a warning about the continuing threat of cyber attacks coming from Russia.
“One of the most threatening aspects of continuing Russian aggression is, in fact, in the cyber domain. It is not only against Ukraine. It is against the United States of America and against our allies. They are mounting the same disinformation campaign that they did in 2016 against us. In fact, 2016 was just a dress rehearsal for what they are planning for 2020,” Blumenthal told those in attendance at the church this weekend.
They were looking for an update on the U.S. weapons needed by Ukraine to push back the Russianbacked military fight in the eastern part of that country.
Blumenthal said the disinformation campaign by Russia in Europe covers Brexit in the United Kingdom, as well as the farright movements in France and Poland. When a member of the audience suggested Latvia was also being targeted, the senator agreed.
“Putin’s playbook is to sow discord and division. It is very cost effective,” Blumenthal said.
The senator said the
Russian leader doesn’t have to spend billions on submarines or antiaircraft defenses. All he needs is a computer and a cyber attack team.
He reminded them of the cyber attack by the Russians on June 27, 2017, that brought down their banks, power grid, postal system and government ministries, a problem that then spread across the Atlantic.
Blumenthal said Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference into the U.S. election in 2016, brought indictments against Soviet military members. He said they were not outside companies, but rather part of the Russian government.
“We need to mount a massive election security effort, a countercyber mission. We are behind where we should be in these efforts,” Blumenthal said. He said he has led efforts in the U.S. Senate on election security.
“Our cyber defenses are linked in our national interest with Ukraine,” he said.
The senator said the $391 million in military aid that was held up for a while before President Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “for a favor” to look into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, now has been released.
Blumenthal said $140 million in U.S. AID assistance, which is nonmilitary funds, has also been approved for Ukraine and it can be used to counter disinformation.
The request from Trump to Zelensky has now led to an impeachment inquiry into the president’s action. Blu
“We need to mount a massive election security effort, a countercyber mission. We are behind where we should be in these efforts. ... Our cyber defenses are linked in our national interest with Ukraine.” U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal
menthal said he supports the impeachment proceeding, which he said should be narrowly focused.
“But the politics in Washington, D.C., should have no impact on our continuing support and assistance to the people of Ukraine in this ongoing fight. We are in this fight together,” Blumenthal said.
On a related issue, the U.S. has approved bringing 10 severely injured Ukrainian soldiers here for medical treatment. This is being held up over nonmedical issues, namely a $140 daily expense.
“The soldiers have been identified and they have been vetted in Europe by American military doctors in the early part of this year. They have been approved for treatment,” said Myron Melnyk, an activist in the church on the issue of American aid for Ukraine.
Because of their extensive injuries, however, they need to be attended to, which includes covering the cost of caregivers, transportation and translators, Melnyk said.
Blumenthal said he is pushing for a resolution.