Security News > 2023 > February > Ukraine invasion blew up Russian cybercrime alliances

"The consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine have ushered in a new era of volatility and unpredictability for global cybercrime that carries a multitude of implications for defenders," Leslie said.

Russian cybercrime, per the report, refers to a diverse group or Russian-speaking miscreants located in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, the Baltics, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia.

The day after the ground invasion began on February 24, 2022 the Conti ransomware gang declared its "Full support of the Russian government" and pledged to use "All possible resources to strike back at the critical infrastructures of an enemy." Later it did "Condemn" the war, but at that point the damage was done.

While the first wave included both pre-established groups like the Stormous ransomware gang and new crews founded to support the Russian war effort, the "Second wave" of hacktivism began around March 22, 2022 with Killnet's campaign against the Latvian government.

Russian authorities claim Ukraine hackers are behind fake missile strike alerts FBI: Russian hacktivists achieve only 'limited' DDoS success Analysis of leaked Conti files blows lid off ransomware gang US, UK slap sanctions on Russians linked to Conti, Ryuk, Trickbot malware.

"We believe that recognizing pro-Russian hackers as an extension of Russian foreign policy and absolving them of criminal liability will open the door to public, open collaboration between cybercriminals and the Russian state." .

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2023/02/24/russian_cybercrime_economy/