Microsoft identified a destructive malware (dubbed WhisperGate)  operation targeting multiple organizations in Ukraine. This malware first appeared on victim systems in Ukraine on January 13, 2022. The malware is assessed to be designed to look like ransomware but lacking a ransom recovery mechanism and is intended to be destructive rendering targeted devices inoperable rather than to obtain a ransom. Victims span multiple government, non-profit, and information technology organizations.