Russian national arrested in US for cyberattacks.

Arrest of Russian National for Ransomware and Cyberattacks

The Justice Department has made a significant announcement regarding the arrest of a Russian national involved in ransomware and cyberattacks targeting computers across the United States and the globe.

Suspected Involvement in LockBit Ransomware Attacks

Twenty-year-old Ruslan Astamirov is suspected of being part of a hacker group that utilized the LockBit ransomware to steal tens of millions of dollars from victims in multiple countries. He faces charges of conspiring to commit wire fraud and intentionally damaging protected computers, as well as transmitting ransom demands.

The scheme involved deploying LockBit to extract business data from servers and subsequently locking companies out of their databases until they agreed to pay. Notably, these attacks impacted companies in Virginia and Florida, as revealed by the Department of Justice. The complaint was issued in New Jersey.

Department’s Determination to Combat Cybercrime

“In securing the arrest of a second Russian national affiliated with the LockBit ransomware, the Department has once again demonstrated the long arm of the law,” stated Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to disrupt cybercrime, and while cybercriminals may continue to run, they ultimately cannot hide.”

Escalating Tensions Between the United States and Russia

The arrest of a Russian national by the United States occurs amidst increasing tensions between the two countries. Russia’s plans to deploy nuclear weapons to its neighboring ally Belarus, despite protests from the United States, have raised concerns. Additionally, the United States recently accused Russia of collaborating with Iran to establish a drone factory outside of Moscow, aiding in the invasion of Ukraine.