On Wednesday, the U.S. Justice Department announced that a 22-year-old Russian named Amin Timovich Stigal has been charged with conspiring to hack and destroy computer systems and data in Ukraine and allied countries, including the United States. The department is offering a $10 million reward for information related to this case.
According to a federal grand jury indictment returned in Maryland on Tuesday, Stigal allegedly participated in hacking efforts that targeted the computer systems and data of the Kyiv government in Ukraine before Russia invaded the country in February 2022. These hacks did not appear to be focused on military-related systems or data.
The indictment further alleges that after the Russian invasion began, Stigal and his co-conspirators expanded their hacking campaign to target computer systems in the United States and other countries that were providing support to Ukraine. The Justice Department did not provide details on the specific nature of the hacking activities or the damage caused.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to disrupt and prosecute Russia-linked cyber threats, especially those targeting Ukraine and its allies. The substantial reward offer indicates the significance the government places on gathering information to support the investigation and potential prosecution of Stigal.
A Russian man, Amin Timovich Stigal, has been charged by the US Justice Department with conspiring to hack and destroy computer systems and data in Ukraine and allied countries, including the US. The department announced a $10 million reward for information leading to Stigal's arrest. Before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Stigal allegedly targeted Kyiv's government systems and data, despite having no military-related role. The Justice Department also claims he later targeted computer systems in the US and other countries supporting Ukraine.
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich went on trial behind closed doors in Ekaterinburg, Russia on Wednesday, 15 months after his arrest on espionage charges that he, his employer, and the US government deny. Gershkovich, 32, was arrested in March 2023 while on a reporting trip to Ekaterinburg, with authorities claiming, without evidence, that he was gathering secret information for the US.
The European Union is expected to sign a security agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday, pledging to continue delivering weapons, military training, and other aid to Kyiv for years to come. The contract will outline the EU's commitment to helping Ukraine in nine areas of security and defense policy, including arms deliveries, military training, defense industry cooperation, and demining.
On Wednesday, EU countries agreed on a new sanctions package against Belarus, to close off a route for avoiding restrictions on Russia. "This package will strengthen our measures in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including combating circumvention of sanctions," said Belgium, which holds the EU presidency until the end of June.
President Zelenskyy made an unannounced visit to the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine to boost morale among troops, as Russian forces continue their advances. Zelenskyy recorded a video address in Pokrovsk, a city that has experienced intense fighting during the 28-month-long invasion. He signaled that he would have a "serious conversation" with officials who have not been present in the frontline areas for months, saying there would be "appropriate conclusions" drawn.
Five Lithuanians were wounded when their aid convoy came under fire in Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, on Monday. The region's governor reported that five people were killed and dozens injured in Russian strikes on Pokrovsk the same day.
For the first time during a prisoner exchange, representatives of Russia's and Ukraine's human rights offices held a direct meeting, Kyiv said. The two countries each released 90 captured soldiers in a deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates, the latest in over 50 prisoner exchanges during the war.
NATO's 32 member nations appointed outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the alliance's next Secretary General. Rutte will take over from Jens Stoltenberg on October 1, after major powers, led by the US, wrapped up his nomination ahead of a NATO summit in Washington next month.
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