Federal authorities have announced a $10 million reward for anyone who can help in locating Amin Timovich Stigal, a 22-year-old Russian hacker accused of aiding Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine by targeting official Ukrainian computers. Stigal, who is still at large, is believed to have conducted cyber attacks on essential non-military Ukrainian government systems before the invasion, leaked citizen data to create distrust in the government, and later expanded his attacks to countries supporting Ukraine, including the United States.

According to a federal indictment filed in Maryland, Stigal operated a malware scheme called “WhisperGate,” designed to mimic a common ransomware attack while actually serving as a cyberweapon to delete victims’ data and render their computers inoperable. The scheme was conducted on behalf of the Main Directorate of the General Staff (GRU), a notorious military intelligence agency in Russia.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the seriousness of Stigal’s actions, stating that he conspired with Russian military intelligence on the eve of the unjust invasion of Ukraine. The Department of Justice remains committed to supporting Ukraine against Russia’s aggressive cyber activities and holds accountable those who aid such malicious actions.

Stigal’s illicit activities extended beyond Ukraine, as he and his GRU co-conspirators targeted several highly utilized Ukrainian government services leading up to the invasion, including the Ministry of International Affairs, Treasury, Judiciary Administration, Agriculture, Ministry of Energy, and State Emergency Service. The attacks, disguised as common cybercriminal acts, aimed to extort $10,000 in Bitcoin from victims, but the real intention was to destroy data and disrupt state operations.

In a bold move, the hackers stole data from 13.5 million users of Ukraine’s essential Portal for Digital Services and listed it for sale on the darknet, sending threatening messages to citizens in advance of the invasion. To mask their ties to the Russian government, Stigal and his associates used false identities, made false statements, and operated through a global network of computers, including those in the United States, funded by Bitcoin transactions.

Moreover, following the invasion of Ukraine, Stigal targeted countries supporting Ukraine, including the transportation infrastructure of a Central European nation crucial for aid delivery to Ukraine and a U.S. government agency based in Maryland. The Baltimore FBI launched an investigation into the cyber attacks, with agents revealing that Stigal and his group probed public-facing agency websites 63 times, highlighting the extent of their malicious activities.

As authorities continue their search for Stigal, the $10 million reward serves as an incentive for individuals to come forward with information that could lead to his apprehension. The case sheds light on the evolving tactics of cybercriminals working in league with state-sponsored entities to undermine national security and sow chaos in the digital realm.

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