July 19, 2024 at 07:34AM
Russian nationals Ruslan Magomedovich Astamirov and Mikhail Vasiliev have admitted to their involvement in numerous LockBit ransomware attacks targeting worldwide victims, including businesses in the US. The operation involved breaching vulnerable systems, stealing data, and deploying ransomware for which they demanded substantial ransoms. The gang has extorted between $500 million and $1 billion from over 7,000 attacks.
It looks as though the meeting notes outline the involvement of several individuals in the LockBit ransomware attacks, specifically focusing on the guilty pleas of Russian national Ruslan Magomedovich Astamirov and Canadian/Russian national Mikhail Vasiliev. It is revealed that they were both affiliates of LockBit’s ransomware-as-a-service operation and were involved in identifying vulnerable systems, stealing sensitive data, deploying ransomware, and demanding ransoms from victims.
The notes also highlight the criminal activities conducted by both Astamirov and Vasiliev between 2020 and 2023, the charges brought against them, and the potential prison sentences they face. Additionally, the meeting notes mention other individuals previously charged and arrested in connection with the LockBit ransomware, as well as the significant financial impact and widespread reach of the attacks, including the takedown of the infrastructure and servers by law enforcement.
The information provided shows the detailed criminal activities and the law enforcement efforts to combat the LockBit ransomware attacks, including the substantial financial extortion and the gang’s continued activity despite recent takedown attempts.