The United States has imposed cyber-related sanctions on Dmitriy Yurevich Khoroshev, a Russian national identified as a senior leader of the LockBit ransomware group.
Announced on Tuesday, these sanctions underscore a significant step by the U.S. authorities to combat cyber threats.
Khoroshev, known by his alias “LOCKBITSUPP,” has been designated for his involvement in the development and distribution of the LockBit ransomware.
According to the U.S. Treasury Department, this move is a result of collaborative efforts with multiple agencies including the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Britain’s National Crime Agency, alongside other international partners.
In their statement, the Treasury outlined that Khoroshev’s designation was part of broader U.S. actions against Russian cybercriminal activities.
These measures include disrupting the infrastructure of the LockBit ransomware and implementing sanctions against associates of the LockBit group.
Brian Nelson, Treasury’s Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, emphasized the significance of these actions, stating, “Today’s action sends a clear message that the United States and its partners around the world are committed to dismantling the ransomware ecosystem, including by uncovering the identities of those perpetrating ransomware attacks.”
Further tightening the screws on LockBit, the U.S. State Department has also offered a reward of up to $10 million for information that leads to the identification or location of key LockBit group leaders.
This reflects the U.S. government’s intensified focus on curtailing cyber threats that originate from entities given safe haven in Russia.
The Treasury’s statement pointedly criticized Russia’s ongoing policy of providing a refuge for cybercriminals, highlighting that “Russia continues to offer safe harbor for cybercriminals where groups such as LockBit are free to launch ransomware attacks against the United States, its allies, and partners.”