UK sanctions 7 Russian nationals for ransomware attacks

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) – The UK imposed sanctions Thursday targeting seven Russian nationals for ransomware in a coordinated action with the US.

The British Foreign Office said sanctions on the Russian nationals, called "cyber criminals," includes frozen assets and travel bans.

Ransomware is "a tier one national security threat" increasingly with common attacks against businesses and public sector organizations, it said.

"Recent victims include UK schools, local authorities and firms – whilst internationally the Irish Health Service Executive, Costa Rican Government and American healthcare providers were targeted," it said in a statement.

The Foreign Office said the campaign in coordination with the US comes after 149 British victims of ransomware, known as Conti and Ryuk, were identified by the National Crime Agency.

"Seven Russian cyber criminals have today (Thursday 9 February) been sanctioned by the UK and US in the first wave of new coordinated action against international cyber crime," it said.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the action is sending "a clear signal" to those involved in ransomware and that the attacks cause real damage to lives and livelihoods.

"We will always put our national security first by protecting the UK and our allies from serious organised crime – whatever its form and wherever it originates," he added.