The US revealed criminal charges against four Russian government officials for hacking into critical infrastructure that include an American nuclear plant and a Saudi oil refinery.
The Department of Justice unsealed two indictments on Thursday, charging the Russian agents with attempting, supporting, and conducting computer intrusions that together, in two separate conspiracies, targeted the global energy sector between 2012 and 2018.
These hacking campaigns targeted thousands of computers at several companies and organizations in approximately 135 countries.
Washington alerted companies about possible cyber-attacks amid Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement that Russian-hired hackers can be a serious and persistent threat to the US and the world.
President Joe Biden on Monday had warned of potential cyber-attacks from Russia. He had urged members of the Business Roundtable—a corporate lobbying organization—to strengthen their defenses.
