June 25, 2024 at 11:15AM
The European Council has imposed sanctions on six Russian nationals for cyber activities targeting the EU and Ukraine. This marks the first time the EU has taken such measures against cybercriminal actors using ransomware. The list includes individuals linked to cyberattack groups, and the sanctions freeze their assets while prohibiting transactions and entry into the EU.
The European Council announced the addition of six Russian nationals to the EU’s sanctions list for their involvement in malicious cyber activities. The sanctions target individuals accused of cyberattacks against EU and Ukraine, including the deployment of ransomware campaigns targeting essential services like health and banking.
Specifically, Ruslan Peretyatko and Andrey Korinets, identified as Russian military intelligence officers linked to various cyber groups, have been charged and sanctioned by the US and UK. Mikhail Tsarev and Maksim Galochkin, alleged cybercriminals associated with the Conti ransomware and Trickbot malware, have also been sanctioned. Additionally, Oleksandr Sklianko and Mykola Chernykh, tied to the group named Gamaredon and Armageddon, have been added to the sanctions list.
As a result of the sanctions, these individuals will have their assets frozen in the EU, will be prohibited from entering the EU, and EU entities are barred from transacting with them. The EU’s sanctions list now includes a total of 14 individuals and four entities from Russia, China, and North Korea.
This action by the EU follows recent measures by the US, including a ban on the sale of software from Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky and sanctions against the company’s executives. The US has also imposed sanctions on Chinese and Iranian hackers linked to cyberattacks.