By The opinion
Jun 27, 2024, 01:35 AM EDT
The State Department announced a reward of up to $10 million for information on the location of Amin Stigal, 22, accused of a conspiracy to commit computer intrusion and damage to dozens of Ukrainian government agencies in the run-up to the 2022 invasion.
A federal grand jury in Maryland returned an indictment charging Amin Timovich Stigal, alleging that he supported the activities of the Russian GRU by establishing infrastructure for them to carry out cyberattacks, and allegedly used malware called “WhisperGate” to attack government entities that included units military and critical infrastructure systems.
The malware would make victims appear as if they were being targeted by a ransomware attack, when in reality their data had been deleted and their systems rendered inoperable, according to the indictment.
Before installing the malware, Prosecutors claim that Stigal and his accomplices exfiltrated data on their targets and posted it for sale on the Internet, in order to “raise concern” among citizens of Ukraine regarding the security of their personal information.
“As alleged, the defendant conspired with Russian military intelligence on the eve of the unjust and unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine to launch cyberattacks against the Ukrainian government and then its allies, including the United States“said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.
“The Department of Justice will continue to support Ukraine on all fronts in its fight against Russia’s war of aggression, including holding accountable those who support Russia’s malicious cyber activity,” he continued.
According to international agenciesDuring the January 2022 cyberattack, hackers compromised computers hosting information including criminal records, patient health data and motor vehicle insurance information, prosecutors allege.
The hackers then allegedly posted a message on the Ukrainian government website that read: “Ukrainians! All information about you has been made public, be afraid and expect the worst. This is for your past, present and future,” according to the indictment.
Prosecutors also accuse the group of hacking into the transportation infrastructure of an unnamed Central European country in October 2022 that had supported Ukraine, and say they also “investigated systems” in the United States, including an unnamed government agency in Maryland.
The indictment does not indicate whether the US agency’s systems were infiltrated or otherwise affected by the group’s malware.
According to The Department of Justice is offering a $10 million reward for information leading to Stigal’s capture.
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