Ukraine Tops European List for Cyberattacks in 2026

Ukraine has emerged as one of the most frequent targets of cyberattacks globally, ranking first in Europe and third worldwide in the first half of 2026. According to the Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2026, Ukraine accounted for 4.8% of all recorded cyberattacks, trailing only the United States and Israel. The report highlights that Russian state hackers remain a significant threat, responsible for 14% of all recorded cyber activity targeting Ukraine, second only to their attacks on the United States.

The public sector has become the primary target, with government institutions and services experiencing a surge in attacks, rising from 17% in 2025 to 27% in 2026. Phishing attacks have also seen a dramatic increase, escalating from 7% to 23% during the same period. The report attributes this rise to the use of artificial intelligence (AI), which has drastically reduced response times, allowing attackers to exploit vulnerabilities within 24 hours of discovery. The number of publicly disclosed software vulnerabilities is projected to reach a record 72,000 in 2026.

Additionally, cybercriminals are remaining undetected for longer periods. The time between gaining access and being detected or stopped has increased across several sectors in 2026. However, once detected, organizations have begun responding faster to mitigate the damage.