Banksy Auction for Ukraine Attacked by Russian Ips

Banksy Auction for Raising Funds for Ukrainian Civilians Has Been Cyber-Attacked by Russian IP Addresses, the Organisers Claim.

Jan 11, 2023By Angela Davic, News, Discoveries, In-depth Reporting, and Analysis
Banksy Auction
Banksy street art, Ukraine.

Banksy Auction came across cyberattacks from Russia. Numerous entries flooded the website holding the limited-edition artwork applications. Many of them are questionable Russian sources. The auction represents the mutual work of Banksy and The Legacy of War Foundation.

 

Banksy Auction Website Overloaded From Enteries

Banksy Auction
This photograph taken on December 3, 2022 shows a cut off of the wall of a damaged building from where a group people tried to steal a work of the famous British artist BanksyDIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP or licensors

 

The enigmatic graffiti artist Banksy announced his collaboration with the Legacy of War Foundation. This happened in the beginning of December. The foundation presented the auction of 50 Banksy prints for €5,660 each. Also, the prints were of Banksy’s famous “Fragile/Agile” work. It features a white mouse grasping onto a cardboard box. It also erases the first two letters of the word “fragile”.

 

The money raised will help with relief operations in the war-torn areas of Ukraine. Interested collectors had to register online for a chance to purchase one of the artworks,  valued at £5,000 ($6,000). However, as soon as applications went online, the hosting system became overloaded with entries. Many of them are questionable Russian sources.

 

Agile
Banksy’s limited edition print for the Legacy of War Foundation. Courtesy of the foundation.

 

“The site received over 1 million requests (and 3,500 hostile attacks from Russian IP addresses)”, the foundation explained on its website. “We would appreciate your patience at this time”, they also added. Despite everything that happened, there is no official connection between the cyberattack and the Russian state.

 

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When contacted for additional details, foundation representatives did not react right away. This also includes the matter on “choosing successful applicants”, as well as the rationale for the Russian attacks being labeled “hostile.”

 

Profit From the Auction Will Be Used for Buying Emergency Vehicles for Elderly

Banksy Auction
People walk past a Banksy’s graffiti on a wall of a heavily damaged residential building in Irpin, Kyiv, on December 23, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine – Copyright GENYA SAVILOV/AFP or licensors

 

Banksy stated he decided to work with Legacy of War after seeing the organization’s initiatives firsthand. The foundation wants to put the money towards buying ambulances, generators. Also, to acquire heaters and solar lamps for the large swathes of the population living without continuous electricity.

 

The Legacy of War also wants to continue to help shelters for women and the LGBTQ+ community in the country. They have already delivered over €280,000 in aid and also donations to Ukraine. The reclusive and somewhat-anonymous artist has been vocal of his support for the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression.

 

Banksy
Banksy street art, Ukraine.

 

In mid-November, Banksy posted a video on his Instagram account compiling his stencil-painted works in Ukraine, This includes a clip of an individual wearing a gas mask in Hostomel. “In Ukraine, I saw a Legacy of War team sweep in and provide medical attention, heaters, fresh water. Also, a friendly face to some very desperate people in a bombed-out building”, Banksy said recently.

 

Profits from Banksy’s sale will be put toward the purchase of emergency vehicles to help rescue the elderly. Also disabled, and others from war-torn areas in Ukraine.

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By Angela DavicNews, Discoveries, In-depth Reporting, and AnalysisAngela is a journalism student at the Faculty of Political Science in Belgrade and received a scholarship for continued education in Prague. She completed her internship at the daily newspaper DANAS and worked as an executive editor at Talas.