Title: US Indicts Five Russian Military Hackers for Targeting Ukrainian Government and NATO Countries
News Update
The U.S. Department of Justice has formally charged five members of Russia’s military intelligence agency, the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), and one civilian co-conspirator with hacking into numerous Ukrainian government agencies, a Maryland-based U.S. government agency, and the computers of 26 NATO countries.
Named in the indictment are Russian GRU Colonel and cyber operations commanding officer Yuriy Denisov, and Lieutenants Vladislav Borovkov, Denis Denisenko, Dmitriy Goloshubov, and Nikolay Korchagin, as well as civilian Amin Stigal, who has previously been indicted for similar cybercrimes.
The accused are said to be responsible for the WhisperGate cyberattack, which masqueraded as a ransomware operation but was designed to render targeted computers unusable. This operation, prosecutors argue, was part of a wider campaign to undermine Ukraine’s government in support of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The indictment details the accused’s alleged activities, including planning meetings at a Moscow cafe and their involvement in hacking various Ukrainian government departments, the state-owned Ukrainian railways, and, around October 2022, the transportation infrastructure of a Central European country, believed to be Denmark.
According to the Justice Department, the FBI and the Department of Justice have gained significant access to the hackers’ infrastructure and are determined to pursue them relentlessly.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security, Matt Olsen, emphasized the U.S. government’s resolve during a press conference, stating that they have penetrated the hackers’ systems and will continue their pursuit.
The indictment also features a group photo of four of the lieutenants and one of General Denisov.
The U.S. government’s charges come as part of a broader effort to hold Russian hackers accountable for their actions against Ukraine and its allies.
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If you have further information regarding these attacks or the activities of the GRU, we urge you to contact our news desk at [Contact Information]. Your information could be crucial in further investigations and in holding these individuals accountable for their actions.
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