Britain and US sanction seven russian cyber criminals
The UK has imposed sanctions against seven russian cyber criminals in coordination with the United States of America, according to a statement on the website of the British government.
The following persons were sanctioned:
- Valentin Karyagin (pseudonym: Globus),
- Maksym Mikhaylov (pseudonyms: Baget and MaxMS76),
- Dmitry Pleshevskyi (pseudonym: Isildur),
- Mykhail Iskritskyi (pseudonym: Tropa),
- Vitaliy Kovalev (pseudonyms: Ben and Bentley),
- Ivan Vakhromeev (pseudonyms: Mushroom and ivanalert),
- Valery Sedletsky (pseudonym Strix).
"These individuals have been connected to developing or deploying several ransomware viruses targeting the UK and the US. These cynical cyberattacks are causing real damage to people's lives and livelihoods," the statement said.
Groups known as Conti, Wizard Spider, UNC1878, Gold Blackburn, Trickman, and Trickbot (including Trickbot, Anchor, BazarLoader, and BazarBackdoor) and the Conti and Diavol ransomware strains are responsible for the development and deployment of ransomware. They are also involved in the deployment of the Ryuk ransomware.
The ransomware strains, known as Conti and Ryuk, have affected 149 British individuals and businesses. At least £27 million has been stolen through these apps.
Conti victims were 104 Britons who paid approximately £10 million, and Ryuk victims were 45 individuals who paid about £17 million.
The Conti group was responsible for attacks on hospitals, schools, businesses, and local authorities, including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
According to research by Chainalysis, the group extorted $180 million with ransomware in 2021 alone.
Conti was one of the first cybercriminal groups to support russia's war in Ukraine, declaring its support for the Kremlin within 24 hours of the invasion.
The criminal group responsible for Conti disbanded in May 2022. However, reports suggest that members of the group continue to be involved in creating some of the most prominent new strains of ransomware that dominate and threaten UK security.
It should be noted that on February 8, London expanded the sanctions against the russian federation. The 15-item list includes companies that vladimir putin's military relies on for the production and supply of equipment and individuals linked to the Kremlin's luxury residences.
As Rubryka wrote, in the coming days, the European Commission will present a new 10th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation due to military aggression against Ukraine.
