OREANDA-NEWS. The computer systems of the online publication The Bell were hacked by hackers. The team of journalists reported this on Thursday, September 2, in Telegram.

«We were hacked again. Our subscribers have just received a newsletter with a strange provocative text that we did not write or send», the editorial board said in the notification. Subscribers of The Bell received an appeal under the guise of a morning newsletter, which claims that the «boycott of the elections» on September 17-19 is «the only right decision». The text sent by the hackers calls for three options: do not come to the polling stations, or come and spoil the ballot, or vote for any party except United Russia. In addition, voters are offered not to vote through the portal «Gosuslugi» (can be translated as «Public Services»).

The text of the mailing list states that «the opposition in the Russian Federation is practically destroyed», and it is also recommended «in solidarity with the editorial board» to go out on September 19 to a single picket demanding fair elections.

The Bell journalists noted that they understand what happened and ask for forgiveness from their audience. The «newsletter» was not published on The Bell's website and in social networks. The staff of the media also emphasized that The Bell «does not participate in political activities and never encourages readers to take any action». «Our only task is to provide you with objective information», the media's website states.