I wonder if this is related to "Ukraine: 'Massive cyber attack' shuts down government websites" [0] [1].<p>If this was Russia, then they would probably use the REvil "arrests" as a proof that they don't engage in Cyberwarfare, but rather help the world become a better place by cleaning up the Cyberspace.<p>Edit: TBH, that Twitter video in the other comment looks pretty serious.<p>[0] <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-says-massive-cyber-attack-has-shut-down-government-websites-12515487" rel="nofollow">https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-says-massive-cyber-attack...</a><p>[1] <a href="https://therecord.media/hackers-deface-ukrainian-government-websites/" rel="nofollow">https://therecord.media/hackers-deface-ukrainian-government-...</a>
For those wondering if anyone is going to be extradited, they won't be. Under Russian law, a Russian citizen cannot be extradited to another country. As long as these people are Russian citizens they will remain in Russia.
I am incredibly surprised that they would arrest a cybercrime gang largely targeting people outside of Eastern Europe. My impression was that such crime was tolerated as long as it wasn't directed inwards.
That's an interesting timing given the bigger context.<p>Sure, the right hand does not talk to the left hand most of times and there's a "separation of concerns", still, there might be something to it.<p>Anyway, this is an important step in fighting cybercrime.
> “Representatives of the competent US authorities were informed about the results of the operation,” the agency said.<p>That’s a nice thing to say. Respect for your adversary, trolling or mistranslation?
Hopefully we'll see an improvement in the relations between Russia and the West.<p>It will be interesting to see how the (alledgedly mostly russian) ransomware industry fares after this new development.
The FSB plays for keeps, I would not want to be in their shoes. Wonder what they did to piss off the Russian government, it would have to be something like that, as long as they are just ripping off Western Europe and the USA it seems that they were allowed to operate.
> The raid comes after President Biden and US authorities have pressured Russian President Vladimir Putin repeatedly over the summer to crack down on the Russian underground cybercrime ecosystem, which harbors many of today’s top ransomware crews.<p>Oof. After that call Putin must've forgot to tell the FSB to not lift a finger for a while, because you just know his American colleagues will jump at the chance to credit this to themselves.<p>Predictably, it's happening.
I wonder what changed… they definitely did not try to hide. I bet they did something against Putin or refused to do something.<p>And regarding extradition- if I’m in their shoes I will plead to be extradited to the US.<p>The higher one is in politburo the deeper one’s grave is.
> <i>The FSB, which serves as Russia’s internal intelligence agency, said it conducted its operation at the request of US authorities</i><p>This needs to be understood through the Ukraine/NATO crisis lens.<p>Carrot and stick.<p>Show that you can act both in a "good" or "bad" way.