Washington slaps sanctions on Russian hackers: what we know
25 February 00:52
The US Treasury Department has announced a new package of sanctions against a Russian cybercrime network that, according to US authorities, is involved in the theft and resale of cyber tools created for the US government and its allies. This was reported by the US Treasury Department, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
Who was added to the sanctions list
According to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the following individuals have been sanctioned:
- Sergey Zelenyuk;
- his company Operation Zero;
- Marina Vasanoch (Zelenyuk’s assistant);
- Special Technology Services LLC (UAE);
- Azizjon Mamashev;
- Oleg Kucherov;
- Advance Security Solutions.
Mamashoev and Kucherov are linked to the Russian cybercrime group Trickbot.
What are Zelenyuk and Operation Zero accused of?
According to OFAC, Sergey Zelenyuk, through his company Operation Zero, acted as an “exploit broker” — an intermediary in the sale of so-called exploits.
Anexploit is a piece of code or technique that uses software vulnerabilities to:
- gain unauthorized access to systems;
- steal information;
- gaining control over electronic devices.
Operation Zero offered millions in rewards to cybersecurity researchers for developing or obtaining exploits for popular software, including American operating systems and encrypted messengers.
Among the tools acquired were at least eight proprietary cyber tools created exclusively for the US government and select allies. They were stolen from an American company and sold to at least one unauthorized user.
Parallel criminal investigation
The sanctions coincide with an investigation by the US Department of Justice and the FBI into Australian citizen Peter Williams.
On October 29, 2025, Williams pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of trade secrets. According to the investigation, he stole several cyber tools between 2022 and 2025 and sold them to Operation Zero for millions of dollars in cryptocurrency.
Reaction from the US Treasury
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent commented on the decision with a harsh statement:
“If you steal American secrets, we will hold you accountable.”
Washington emphasized that combating cybercrime and protecting government technology is a national security priority.
What the sanctions entail
The sanctions include:
- freezing all assets of sanctioned individuals in the US;
- a ban on any financial transactions with them;
- the risk of civil or criminal liability for violating the sanctions regime.
American companies and citizens are prohibited from conducting any transactions with those on the list.
Why it matters
The decision demonstrates increased US pressure on Russian cyber networks and structures associated with cyber espionage. Washington is increasingly using sanctions as a tool to counter cyberattacks and the leakage of secret technologies.
Analysts note that sanctions could complicate Russian cyber groups’ access to international financial systems and partner networks.
