Britain, in coordination with the U.S. and Australia, implemented sanctions on the Russian cyber group Zservers and six members on Tuesday for their involvement in facilitating damaging ransomware attacks globally. The measures include asset freezes on Zservers, its UK front company XHOST Internet Solutions LP, and asset freezes plus travel bans on the six individuals.
According to Britain, affiliates connected to a notorious cybercriminal group have utilized Zservers as a launching point for ransomware attacks. These attacks, capable of breaching sensitive data, disrupting essential services, and posing threats to national security, amassed $1 billion from victims worldwide in 2023.
In a statement, Foreign Secretary David Lammy asserted, "(Russian President Vladimir) Putin has built a corrupt mafia state driven by greed and ruthlessness," adding, "It is no surprise that the most unscrupulous extortionists and cyber-criminals run rampant from within his borders."