Ukrainian hacker Yaroslav Vasinskyi, also known as Rabotnik, has been sentenced to 13 years and seven months in prison for his role in over 2,500 ransomware attacks that amassed roughly $700 million, according to the US Department of Justice. Vasinskyi, aged 24, was part of the notorious REvil ransomware group. His capture and subsequent sentencing followed a comprehensive FBI investigation, conducted in cooperation with international authorities.
Vasinskyi was arrested at the Polish border in November 2021 and was extradited to the US in March 2022. He pleaded guilty in Texas to multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering. The attacks orchestrated by Vasinskyi and his associates affected over 200 businesses worldwide, leading to a directive from President Biden in July 2021 for federal agencies to intensify their efforts against the REvil group.
The sentencing also requires Vasinskyi to pay $16 million in restitution. The REvil operations typically involved hacking into computers globally, encrypting them, and demanding ransom payments in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which are challenging to trace and reverse.
FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized the collaborative efforts of global law enforcement agencies in capturing Vasinskyi, pledging continued pursuit of cybercriminals across borders. This case highlights the ongoing challenges and global cooperation required to combat sophisticated cybercrime networks.
