In a coordinated effort with the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US), Australia has imposed targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on three Russian citizens for their involvement in the notorious cybercrime group, Evil Corp. This marks the third use of Australia’s autonomous cyber sanctions framework, demonstrating the country’s commitment to combating malicious cyber activity.
Evil Corp, one of the world’s most prolific and long-standing cybercrime organisations, has been responsible for significant cyber incidents over the past decade. Their activities, including ransomware attacks across Europe, the UK, and the US, have resulted in millions of dollars in losses and disruptions to critical health systems, national infrastructure, and government sectors.
The sanctioned individuals, Maksim Viktorovich Yakubets, Igor Olegovich Turashev, and Aleksandr Viktorovich Ryzhenkov, hold senior positions within Evil Corp. These sanctions make it a criminal offence to provide assets to these individuals or to use or deal with their assets, effectively banning them from entering Australia.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles emphasised the importance of these sanctions as a deterrent against cybercrime and a means of protecting Australians. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong highlighted that this marks the first time an Australian government has used autonomous cyber sanctions powers to safeguard its citizens.
The Australian government has observed an increase in persistent ransomware activity across various sectors, including critical infrastructure, governments, industry, and the general public. In response, they are urging businesses and individuals not to pay ransoms to cybercriminals and to report any such demands to the Australian Signals Directorate.
To protect themselves from ransomware attacks, Australian businesses are advised to regularly back up their files and educate staff about cybersecurity best practices. The government remains committed to assisting victims of ransomware attacks and promoting a rules-based cyberspace grounded in international law and responsible state behaviour.
For a full reading of the media release, see here.
