U.S. charges Russian hackers for cyberattacks targeting Ukraine, NATO countries
Washington — Federal prosecutors unveiled new charges against members of Russia’s military intelligence service on Thursday, alleging they engaged in “destructive” computer attacks that targeted civilian computer systems in Ukraine and around the world.
Prosecutors announced a superseding indictment against five members of the Russian GRU and one civilian for their campaign to hack the computers of dozens of Ukrainian government entities before Russia invaded the country in February 2022. The U.S. is offering up to $10 million for information about the cyber campaign and the defendants’ whereabouts.
The Justice Department said the hackers attacked computers involved in critical infrastructure and entities that are unrelated to Ukraine’s military or defense, such as agriculture, education and emergency services.
series of actions on Wednesday against the Russian government related to efforts to interfere in the 2024 election. Federal investigators seized 32 internet domains used by the Russian government and pro-Russian actors to mount a covert campaign designed to influence the upcoming election.
Two Russian nationals working for a news outlet controlled by the Russian government are also facing charges for allegedly funneling millions of dollars to a Tennessee-based media company that paid right-wing commentators for videos that pushed narratives favorable to the Kremlin.
Also on Thursday, federal prosecutors unveiled charges against a one-time adviser to Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and the adviser’s wife for allegedly violating U.S. sanctions against Russia.
Dimitri Simes is accused of working as a television host and producer for the Russian outlet Channel One Russia, which was sanctioned by the U.S. government in 2022. Prosecutors said Simes hosted a program called “The Great Game” on the channel and received more than $1 million from the outlet after the sanctions were enacted.
He and his wife, Anastasia, are accused of concealing illicit Russian funds and using the money to buy property in the U.S. Investigators said the two are believed to be in Russia.
Melissa Quinn
Source: cbsnews.com