Today, British sanctions have targeted Russian state bodies and associated criminal networks responsible for organizing cyberattacks, interfering in elections, and spreading hostile anti-Ukrainian propaganda in Europe.
Today, British sanctions have targeted Russian state bodies and associated criminal networks responsible for organizing cyberattacks, interfering in elections, and spreading hostile anti-Ukrainian propaganda in Europe.
The sanctions target 24 individuals and organizations behind cyber and hybrid operations. Among them are cybercriminals who are part of networks controlled by Russian intelligence services. This is stated on the official website of the UK government.
In particular, senior GRU officials Vyacheslav Stafeev, Ivan Senin, and Ivan Kasyanenko were sanctioned for their role in leading the agency's cyber and hybrid operations. The cyber unit of GRU 29155 worked with cybercriminals, including the company IMPULSE, to recruit hackers and IT specialists from universities and academies across Russia.
In addition, today the UK, together with EU member states, officially blamed the attack on Poland’s power grid on Russia’s FSB Center 16. The attack failed, but it could have left 500,000 citizens without power in the dead of winter.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "These sanctions strike at the heart of the cybercrime networks that support the Russian regime's aggression. The UK and the EU are making it clear that Russia will not be able to hide behind these controlled groups."
The UK is also imposing sanctions on those behind the Lumma Stealer malware, which allows cybercriminals to steal sensitive data from compromised devices en masse. According to the UK, Russia used passwords and personal data stolen through Lumma Stealer to conduct cyber espionage around the world on behalf of the Kremlin.
According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), at least 2,100 victims of the Lumma Stealer have been recorded in the UK in the last six months. Today's measures are designed to increase the pressure on these illegal cyber networks and stop them from trying to cause direct damage to UK businesses.
The new restrictions also target 10 individuals behind Rybar LLC, including its directors, top managers, and content designers. This media company is funded by the Russian government and is responsible for spreading false narratives about Ukraine and interfering in European elections, including in Moldova and Armenia.
