A widespread outage hit X on Monday, affecting users across the globe. Many experienced connectivity issues early in the day, with error messages appearing on their screens. Downdetector identified a peak of 40,000 complaints as the service remained unstable for several hours.
A hacker group with alleged Russian ties, known as Dark Storm, has claimed responsibility for the cyberattack that temporarily crippled the social media platform.
Hackers’ IPs Traced to Ukraine Region
The attack, identified as a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) assault, left thousands unable to access the platform before functionality was quickly restored.
Cybersecurity firm SpyoSecure reported that Dark Storm’s leader had announced the attack in a now-deleted Telegram post. Before its removal, the message boasted about taking X offline, supported by screenshots showing widespread connection failures across multiple locations. Although the group’s Telegram channel has been taken down for violating platform policies, evidence of the attack continues to circulate online.
For example, Ed Krassenstein, an entrepreneur and social media commentator who co-founded the NFT marketplace NFTz.me, weighed in to claim direct communication with Dark Storm’s leader. According to Krassenstein’s tweet, the hackers characterized their actions as a display of strength rather than a politically motivated operation.
However, Dark Storm’s history suggests otherwise. This group, active since 2023, has a track record of targeting NATO countries and is known for its pro-Palestinian stance.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk confirmed the attack during an interview, noting that his team traced the hackers’ IP addresses to the “Ukraine area” without providing additional details.
Political Firestorm
The latest developments coincide with the “Take Down Tesla” movement, as Tesla facilities nationwide have become hotspots for protests and vandalism. This unrest is fueled by opposition to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has been eliminating government agencies. Demonstrators are reacting to Musk’s growing political influence within the Trump administration.
In his assertions, Musk publicly accused five activist groups – Troublemakers, Disruption Project, Rise & Resist, Indivisible Project, and Democratic Socialists of America – of orchestrating the burgeoning wave of demonstrations.
This incident underscores the heightened vulnerabilities that digital platforms face in an increasingly connected world. As cyber threats continue to evolve, stakeholders must remain vigilant and proactive in protecting their digital spaces.
