Gonets Satellite System

Gonets (also known as Gonets Messenger or Gonets Satellite System) is a Russian organisation that operates a satellite communications network. The network provides messaging services to its users, enabling data transmission via satellite links. Its customer relationship management system maintained records of 97 client accounts. Among those accounts were regional offices of Russia’s Federal Security Service. Additional clients included organisations involved in missile and space technology. The system handled authentication and billing for the messaging traffic it supported.

The organisation’s headquarters is situated in Russia. The disclosed client count of 97 indicates a specialised, relatively limited user base focused on governmental and defence sectors. This focus distinguishes Gonets as a provider of satellite‑based communications for strategic and security‑related customers. In September 2022, pro‑Ukraine hackers affiliated with the group OneFist breached the network by exploiting a misconfiguration in its CRM system. The attackers gained unauthorised access, deleted the CRM database, and consequently disrupted the network’s ability to authenticate or bill users. The incident was attributed to the CRM being exposed on the open internet without firewalls, highlighting significant security shortcomings in the organisation’s cybersecurity practices.