Alarm after pro-Russian hackers attack Italian institutions

(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 12 - There is alarm in Italy after the websites of the Senate, the defence ministry and other public institutions came under a cyber attack from pro-Russian hackers on Wednesday.
    The 'Killnet' group, which experts say has links to Russia's armed forces and has threatened further actions, claimed responsibility for the attacks via Telegram.
    Access to the sites involved was restored after a few hours.
    Senate Speaker Elisabetta Casellati said no permanent damage had been caused by the attack on the Upper House's "external network".
    "These are serious incidents that should not be underestimated," she said via Twitter.
    "We will continue to keep our guard up".
    Italy has staunchly supported Western sanctions on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine and is providing military support to Kyiv. (ANSA).