The US accuses a Ukrainian and a Russian for cyberattacks and seizes US $ 6 million that they would have obtained from ransoms

The government of USA accused and imposed sanctions on Monday on a Ukrainian and a Russian, whom he accused of being behind cyberattacks against US companies and institutions, and also seized $ 6.1 million collected by the suspects as ransom in hacking.

This was reported by the US Justice Department in a statement in which it reported the charges against the Ukrainian Yaroslav Vasinskyi and the Russian Yevgeniy Polyanin for having carried out alleged “ransomware” attacks by Sodinokibi / REvil against US targets.

The Russian group REvil, also known as Sodinokibi, is one of the most prolific and profitable cybercriminal gangs in the world, with more than a million victims.

Washington believes Sodinokibi / REvil is behind this year’s cyberattacks against meat company JBS Foods and software firm Kaseya, which serves more than 40,000 organizations around the world.

Vasinskyi was arrested a month ago in Poland and the US requested his extradition.

The charges against both suspects, which include fraud and conspiracy to launder money, could carry penalties of up to 115 and 145 years in prison.

The Justice Department explained that the $ 6.1 million it seized was part of ransoms received by Polyanin in “ramsonware” attacks.

On the other hand, the US Treasury announced the imposition of sanctions against both defendants and the virtual currency exchange company Chatex “for facilitating transactions” for cyberattacks with “ramsonware”.

As a result of the sanctions, all the properties of the persons designated by the Treasury under US jurisdiction are blocked and US citizens are prohibited from transacting with them.

In parallel, the State Department offered on Monday a reward of 10 million dollars for any information that helps to identify or locate any person who holds a leadership position within the Sodinokibi / REvil group.

In addition, Washington is offering $ 5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction in any country of individuals who participate or attempt to take part in cyberattacks orchestrated by that gang of hackers.