UK Sanctions Russian Hackers Tied to Assassination Attempts

The UK government has sanctioned three Russian APTs and 18 individuals for their involvement in cyber operations against Ukraine, NATO allies, and EU.

The UK government announced sanctions against three Russian military intelligence units, 18 of their members, and other individuals involved in malicious cyber operations and assassination attempts.

The sanctions target Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) Units 29155, 26165, and 74455, which have been linked to numerous cyberattacks against Ukraine, NATO allies, European Union member states, and US targets.

Unit 29155, also known as Cadet Blizzard, Bleeding Bear, Ember Bear, DEV-0586, Frozenvista, and UNC2589, has been carrying out destructive attacks, such as WhisperGate, which involved a wiper malware used against Ukraine in February 2022, in coordination with Russia’s assault on the country.

The APT, the UK says, was also involved in a 2014 explosion at an ammunition warehouse in Vrbétice, Czechia, in the 2018 attempted assassination ...