PRO-RUSSIAN group Noname057(16) claimed to have launched DDoS attacks against sites connected to Milano Cortina 2026, with the attacks described as retaliation for Italy’s pro-Ukraine stance. According to ANSA, Italy has foiled a series of Russian-linked cyberattacks targeting Foreign Ministry offices and Winter Olympics websites and hotels in Cortina d’Ampezzo, including the Italian embassy in Washington and consulates in Sydney, Toronto and Paris.
The group also published a list of targets that included hotels in the Cortina area and government websites, emphasising their protest against Italy’s stance. At the time, the attacks had a limited impact thanks to the actions of Italian authorities and Italy’s National Cybersecurity Agency, though analysts warned of botnets capable of larger DDoS events.
The piece also notes that AISURU botnet exists in the threat landscape, but is not described as part of Noname057(16)’s arsenal, and Italy will deploy 6,000 security officers across Milan–Dolomites Games sites to bolster protective measures.