German authorities announced today that they have identified key members of an international hacker network linked to Russia and are believed to be targeted at over 600 companies and organizations around the world.

The operation was carried out in cooperation with the US Federal Police (FBI) and Europol.

This network is believed to be responsible for a major attack on the UK healthcare system in 2017, as well as other, smaller attacks on companies and organizations around the world. In Germany, its victims were the Düsseldorf University Hospital and the media group Funke in 2020.

Next long-term researchpolice searched last week Germany And UkraineThis is stated in a statement by the judicial police of Rhineland-North Westphalia, which took over the investigation of the case. International arrest warrants have been issued for three suspects believed to be linked to Russia.

The police authorities of Ukraine and the Netherlands also participated in the investigation.

The network, which used various aliases such as Indrik Spider or DoppelSpider, is accused of “digital blackmail” and “sabotage of electronic systems“. He infected the computers of his victims with ransomware in order to extort large sums of money.

The case demonstrates “the international nature of cyberattacks, their perpetrators and their victims,” ​​said Markus Hartmann, head of the German police’s cybercrime department. “But the success of our business also proves that we, the forces of order, are capable of operating at the international level,” he added.

In recent months, several German websites, including those of airlines, have been subjected to similar attacks, which authorities believe Russian hacker groups are responsible for. Similar attacks were recorded in the past, in 2015 against the Bundestag and the office of former Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Source: APE-MPE-AFP.