US, UK and Australia Sanction Russian Cyber Firms Over Ransomware Link
According to reports, the United States, Australia, and Britain unveiled joint sanctions against Media Land, a Russia-based web firm, allege its involvement in supporting ransomware activities.
The Department of Treasury stated that the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control designated three leaders of the Russian firm along with three of its affiliated companies.
"These purported bulletproof hosting service providers such as Media Land offer cybercriminals critical services that assist them in targeting businesses in the United States and allied nations," stated John Hurley, undersecretary of the Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence.
Britain stated that the sanctions revealed "covert Russian networks facilitating global cyber-attacks" and signified the nation's latest effort against harmful Russian cybercrime.
The Russian embassy in London did not promptly reply to a request for a statement.
Britain characterized Media Land as a major player in what are known as bulletproof hosting services, offering infrastructure for phishing and ransomware attacks.
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It declared comparable actions to the United States, incorporating Aeza Group LLC into its Russia sanctions framework and adding six listings under its cyber regulations.
These comprise Media Land and another hosting service, ML.Cloud LLC, along with four people alleged to be involved in harmful cyber actions.
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UK sanctions involve asset freezes and disqualification orders for all directors, while travel bans are imposed on the four individuals.
Aeza Group encounters limitations on internet and trust services, preventing British companies from offering technical assistance or hosting services.
Britain also focused on the individual it identified as Media Land's leader Alexander Volosovik, recognized online as "Yalishanda", who has been involved in the cyber underground since at least 2010 and associated with groups like Evil Corp, LockBit, and Black Basta.
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ML Cloud, a sister company of Media Land, frequently utilizes technical infrastructure alongside Media Land, particularly during ransomware and DDOS attacks, according to the US statement.
Australia announced it would implement comparable measures to coordinate with its allies, emphasizing the necessity to dismantle ransomware networks targeting hospitals, schools, and enterprises.