**US Slaps Sanctions on Russian IT Company Over Hosting of Cyber Threats**
The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has taken a major step in cracking down on cybercrime by imposing sanctions on the Russian IT company Aeza Group. According to a press release published on July 1, the restrictions target two subsidiaries and four members of the Aeza Group’s management.
**Bulletproof Hosting**
The US Treasury Department has characterized Aeza as a “bulletproof hosting service” that provided services to some of the most notorious cyber threats in the world, including the Meduza and Lumma infostealers, and the BianLian and RedLine ransomware groups. The company also hosted the Russian-language darknet marketplace for illegal drugs, BlackSprut.
**How Aeza Works**
Aeza Group sells access to specialized servers that help cybercriminals avoid detection and resist attempts by law enforcement agencies to suppress their criminal activities. This makes it difficult for authorities to track down and prosecute these cyber threats.
**Consequences of Violating US Sanctions**
The sanctions against the company involve blocking all assets of the named individuals located in the US. Any legal entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, by 50% or more by one or more of the mentioned individuals are also blocked. Violation of these sanctions may result in civil or criminal penalties.
**Ukraine Calls for Strengthened Sanctions**
The news comes as Ukraine continues to call on the US to strengthen sanctions against Russia. Despite Russia’s refusal to accept the ceasefire proposal and its army’s ongoing advance across Ukrainian territory, the Trump administration has not yet imposed new restrictions.
**Legislation to Impose Tariffs on Russian Imports**
Meanwhile, Senators Lindsey Graham (R) and Richard Blumenthal (D) have introduced a bill to impose a 500% tariff on imports from countries that continue to buy Russian oil and raw materials. The legislation currently has broad bipartisan support, with 82 out of 100 US senators backing it.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
