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On December 11, anti-war activist Grigory Sverdlin reported via Telegram that an anonymous hacking collective had successfully breached the systems of Mikord, a key contractor managing Russia’s military draft database. Sverdlin stated that the hackers contacted his organization, Get Lost, to announce their infiltration and provided a substantial cache of data. “They had access to the system for several months and handed over a wealth of materials from the military register,” he explained.
Sverdlin further noted that the hackers’ actions severely disrupted the operation of Russia’s military draft system. “For at least the next few months, this enormous entity, which houses around 30 million records, will struggle to send individuals into the conflict,” he asserted. This incident raises critical questions regarding the implications for Russian citizens facing conscription. To explore these ramifications further, Meduza spoke with Sverdlin from Get Lost.
The Unified Military Register and its importance
Referred to as the Unified Military Register, this digital draft system compiles data on citizens from various government sources. The Defense Ministry oversees the register and uses it to issue draft notices, collaborating with other government agencies such as the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Federal Tax Service to share information.
Once a draft notice is sent, whether electronically or via registered mail, the recipient must report to a military enlistment office. Upon receipt, individuals are automatically prohibited from leaving the country until they comply. Noncompliance can result in further restrictions, including the revocation of the right to drive, register property, or obtain loans.
Impact of the hacking incident
According to Sverdlin, the situation is more complex than it appears. He asserted that the Unified Military Register would be non-operational for “at least several months” following the cyberattack on Mikord, the developer of the system. When asked about the hackers’ motivations for contacting Get Lost, Sverdlin refrained from elaborating, stating, “These hackers are Russian individuals with anti-war views.”
Sverdlin’s claims regarding the extent of the damage are based on assessments from IT specialists at Get Lost. He claimed, “This is substantial damage, and the developers of the register will need a significant period to recover both the documentation and the source code components. The hackers effectively erased everything from the developer’s systems.” Although backups existed, reports indicate they have been destroyed, prolonging the recovery process.
Consequences for the draft system
Sverdlin emphasized that an upcoming investigation by iStories would provide further insights into the situation. He noted that the poor design of the register’s digital infrastructure made it particularly vulnerable to hacking attempts. At the time of the interview, the entire system had been down for five days, with its website non-functional. “They have managed to restore the register itself, but it is currently operating only as a basic database,” he informed Meduza.
As a result, the automatic restrictions related to travel bans, bank loans, and driving licenses are currently inoperative. However, Sverdlin pointed out that these limitations could still be enforced manually against draftees. He believes the cyberattack could cause significant delays in the full implementation of the Unified Military Register, which was under development following a law enacted in April.
Public concerns and future implications
At the time of the breach, the database contained over 30 million records, each consisting of approximately 100 data fields. When asked whether the compromised system could still facilitate another wave of mobilization, Sverdlin was circumspect, stating, “You will have to wait for the iStories investigation for further details. All I can say is that the necessary functionalities for that are not operational at this moment.”
Since the launch of the digital draft system in July, requests for assistance to Get Lost have surged, averaging over 100 inquiries per day. Sverdlin attributed this increase to rising anxiety surrounding the register’s introduction, as many individuals began receiving notifications about the addition of their data to the register, followed by electronic summonses.
Sverdlin further noted that the hackers’ actions severely disrupted the operation of Russia’s military draft system. “For at least the next few months, this enormous entity, which houses around 30 million records, will struggle to send individuals into the conflict,” he asserted. This incident raises critical questions regarding the implications for Russian citizens facing conscription. To explore these ramifications further, Meduza spoke with Sverdlin from Get Lost.0