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In a significant development amid the ongoing cyber-war between Russia and Ukraine, the two largest hacktivist groups involved in the conflict have publicly committed to de-escalating cyber-attacks. And they will adhere to a newly established set of 8 rules of engagement known as the "Geneva Code of cyber-war." 

This groundbreaking agreement comes following the release of the first-ever set of rules for civilian hackers by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), marking a critical step toward mitigating cyber-attacks' impact on civilians in the region.

Since the invasion of Ukraine, there has been a relentless onslaught of disruptive cyber-attacks targeting public services in both Ukraine and Russia. 

These attacks, though largely unsophisticated, have successfully caused temporary disruptions to banks, companies, pharmacies, hospitals, railway networks, and civilian government services. And has affected the lives of ordinary citizens on both sides of the conflict. 

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ICRC 8 rules for hackers in an armed conflict

Claiming that "Cyberspace is not a lawless space – even wars have limits." The document lists the "8 international humanitarian law-based rules."

1. Do not direct cyber-attacks* against civilian objects.
2. Do not use malware or other tools or techniques that spread automatically and damage military objectives and civilian objects indiscriminately.
3. When planning a cyber-attack against a military objective, do everything feasible to avoid or minimize the effects your operation may have on civilians.
4. Do not conduct any cyber operation against medical and humanitarian facilities.
5. Do not conduct any cyber-attack against objects indispensable to the survival of the population or that can release dangerous forces.
6. Do not make threats of violence to spread terror among the civilian population.
7. Do not incite violations of international humanitarian law.
8. Comply with these rules even if the enemy does not.

IT Army of Ukraine versus  Killnet 

Hacktivist groups have often reveled in creating friction and turmoil among the general population, collecting social media posts from individuals impacted by their actions.

By publicly committing to uphold the ICRC rules, these hacktivist groups have taken a significant step toward avoiding cyber-attacks that harm civilians.