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The Department of Justice has indicted Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev, a prominent figure within the Russia-based LockBit ransomware group, for his extensive role in orchestrating cyber attacks globally. 

According to US Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, Khoroshev’s actions with LockBit have led to “billions of dollars in damages and immense disruption” to thousands of victims worldwide. Sellinger noted that Khoroshev faces 26 federal charges.

This indictment follows a successful February operation where US and UK authorities seized LockBit’s servers, disrupting their operations and limiting their capacity to conduct further attacks. Evidence from the February seizure revealed that Khoroshev retained stolen data even after ransoms were paid, betraying promises of deletion made to the victims. 

Khoroshev also reportedly attempted to negotiate with law enforcement post-seizure, offering to identify rival ransomware operators in exchange for leniency.

If the US apprehends him, he could face 185 years in prison and substantial fines.