Russia dismisses US sanctions against members of 'Cyber Army' hacktivist group

Russia’s embassy in the U.S. responded to Washington's sanctions against two members of a Kremlin-aligned hacktivist group, calling them “part of the propaganda campaign against Russia.”

The embassy criticized the U.S. State Department for labeling Russia a “safe haven” for cybercriminals and for accusing it of cyberattacks against the U.S. and its allies.

“Forming an impenetrable atmosphere of Russophobia is one of Washington’s favorite methods,” the Russian Embassy said in a statement on Saturday.

Last week, the U.S. sanctioned Russian citizens Yuliya Pankratova and Denis Degtyarenko — a leader and a primary hacker of the group known as the Cyber Army of Russia Reborn (CARR). 

The U.S. said the group has been responsible for a “slew of malicious cyber activities against water supply, hydroelectric, wastewater, and energy facilities in the United States and Europe,” as well as “low-impact” operations against Ukraine. 

The Russian statement also blamed the U.S. for suspending cooperation between the countries on information security.

“If the American authorities are truly interested in an equal and professional dialogue, they know where to address their concerns,” the embassy said.

The Cyber Army responded to the sanctions on its Telegram channel by saying, “Well, friends, this is a recognition. Glory to Russia!”

Russia has previously dismissed similar accusations of its involvement in cyberattacks or espionage.

When two Russia-born Australian citizens were accused of spying for Moscow earlier this month, the Russian Embassy accused Canberra of inciting “anti-Russian paranoia” and said the espionage charges were aimed at “distracting Australians from the numerous failures of the policies of the ruling Labor Party.”

When Germany blamed Moscow hackers for targeting the country’s defense, aerospace and IT companies, as well as the German Social Democratic Party, the Russian Embassy in Berlin “categorically rejected” the allegations, calling them “unproven and unfounded.”

Russia also called Germany’s accusations “another unfriendly step, aimed at inflaming anti-Russian sentiments in Germany and leading to the further destruction of Russian-German relations.”