Ukrainian Arrested for June JBS Cyberattack

Federal prosecutors are seeking the extradition of a Ukrainian man who is accused of launching cyberattacks on more than 2,000 U.S. businesses, including the world’s largest meat packer JBS Inc.

The 22-year-old Yaroslav Vasinskyi was arrested last month as he tried to enter Poland from Ukraine.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation says it seized roughly $6 million in ransom payments after the arrest had been made.

U.S. Attorney General Garland said businesses were asked to pay $70 million to unlock infected computers and some of the targets paid $2.3 million in ransom.

Garland said Vasinskyi was charged six weeks after being linked to other cyberattacks in July. “His arrest demonstrates how quickly we will act, alongside our international partners, to identify, locate and apprehend alleged cybercriminals no matter where they are.”

EDITOR’S TAKE:

You may recall that we previously reported on two cyberattacks against ag businesses in the Midwest. The attacks caused huge disruptions for the businesses involved, not to mention the expense. They also caused disruptions to farmers who had to locate interim alternative markets for their products. We certainly hope that this is the perpetrator responsible and he is brought to the U.S. for trial. If convicted, we trust he will suffer the full consequences for his actions. That would at least send a strong signal to others around the world that if they attempt this type of extortion, they will be tracked down and prosecuted.