US and UK sanctions against a Russian cybercriminal group are imposed: Protecting against cybersecurity threats

Today, the United States of America, in cooperation with the United Kingdom, took decisive action by imposing sanctions on eleven individuals targeted and suspected of being involved in known cyberattacks carried out by the Russian cybercriminal group Trickbot. At the same time, the U.S. Department of Justice has indicted nine people in connection with the distribution of Trickbot malware.

According to the press service of the US Treasury Department, Trickbot has direct ties to Russian special services and was an active participant in cyberattacks on American companies, including hospitals. Their actions were particularly active during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Trickbot group carried out attacks on critical infrastructure and healthcare services in the United States.

"The United States has been strong in the fight against ransomware and responding to challenges to our critical infrastructure. In cooperation with our British partners, we will continue to use our collective tools and government structures to combat this criminal cyber activity," said U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Brian Nelson.

It is important to note that the UK government has also joined these sanctions measures imposed on the same 11 individuals who are members of the Russian cybercrime group.

"These cybercriminals try to remain anonymous, moving in the virtual shadow corridors of the Internet to cause maximum damage and extort money from their victims. By revealing their identities, we undermine their business models and make their attacks on our citizens, businesses and institutions more difficult," said James Cleverly, the UK Foreign Secretary.

The National Crime Agency (NCA), which conducted a complex investigation into these individuals, believes that the Trickbot group is behind the extortion of at least £27 million from 149 victims in the UK. Targets included British hospitals, schools, local authorities and businesses.

A Microsoft report presented during the winter period warned of a new wave of cyberattacks by Russian hackers targeting Ukraine. The State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection constantly records an increase in the number of cyber incidents and cyber attacks on state information resources and critical information infrastructure.

It is known that the Russian Federation launches more than 10 cyberattacks on strategic facilities of Ukraine every day. Ensuring cybersecurity remains one of the most important tasks for the country in the face of a constant cyber threat.