By KYIV. May 25 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Automatic Identification System (AIS) data from commercial vessels was remotely tampered with in order to create the impression of a 65-kilometer long Russian pro-war Z symbol on the Black Sea near Kalamitsky Bay on tracking software.
According to a defense intelligence’s report on Twitter by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s Department of Defense on Thursday morning, Geollect’s survey also shows that AIS data has been remotely spoofed since May 14.
“Tracks making up the image suggested vessel speed of up to 102 knots (188 km/h), further suggesting they were fake,” according to the report.
Intelligence said such a fake (spoofing) was carried out as an information operation, possibly in an attempt to maintain the morale of the Russian occupiers before the expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.
“The spoofing of AIS increases the risk of maritime accidents. Despite Russian virtual information operations in the Black Sea, its physical navy remains vulnerable: the Ivan Khurs intelligence gathering vessel was likely attacked on May 24, 2023” the agency said in the report.
