Russians hack German chancellor Angela Merkel's website

Berlin: A website affiliated with pro-Russia hackers took responsibility for an online attack on Wednesday that brought down key German government websites, including that of Chancellor Angela Merkel, for hours. The attack came the same day that Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk was expected to arrive in the German capital to sign an agreement for $596 million in loan guarantees to help rebuild war-torn eastern Ukraine.

Mr. Yatsenyuk was scheduled to meet with German President Joachim Gauck later Wednesday and Ms. Merkel on Thursday. Germany has been increasingly vocal in its support for the government in Kiev and critical of Russia’s support of separatists fighting government troops in eastern Ukraine.