Australia places sanctions on Russian cybercrime groups
Australia has imposed sanctions on Russian cybercrime organizations for their role in ransomware and cyberattacks.
Media Land LLC, its sister company ML.Cloud LLC, and two key figures in both organizations – Aleksandr Alexandrovich Volosovik and Kirill Andreevich Zatolokin – were sanctioned on Thursday in a joint move by Australia, the UK and the US.
Cybercriminals are allegedly using companies’ infrastructure to launch ransomware, phishing and Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attacks in Australia and globally.
However, according to the measures, anyone who uses their resources or provides assets to them in Australia can be punished with up to 10 years in prison and heavy fines.
“These sanctions not only impose costs on criminals, they also dismantle the infrastructure that enables cybercrime,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said.
“By disrupting these networks we make it harder for others to launch attacks, and this strengthens Australia’s resilience to future threats.”
The sanctions will also prevent Volosovik and Zatolokin from entering Australia.
Almost half of Australian internet users were victims of cybercrime last year, according to a government report published in August.
According to the Cyber Crime in Australia 2024 report, more than a quarter have experienced online abuse or harassment, while a fifth have been victims of identity crime; one in five experienced malware attacks; Approximately one in 10 people have fallen victim to fraud or scams.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said: “We will continue to do everything we can to disrupt networks and alienate individuals who carry out cyber attacks against Australia and Australian interests.”
“This is one of the fastest-growing threats facing our country, and our government will ensure we are ready to confront it.”
Australia has imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on others involved in the mistreatment of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in custody in 2024.
The federal government also imposed sanctions on more than 1,100 individuals and organizations who supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
