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The FSB of Russia, the country’s Federal Security Service, has accused a scientist based in Moscow of “treason” for purportedly transferring cryptoassets to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to an official statement from the FSB and a report by Vedomosti, the agency revealed that its agents have apprehended “an employee of a scientific organization in Moscow.”
Authorities asserted that the unnamed scientist “consistently sent his personal funds and cryptocurrency” to wallets managed by the Ukrainian military.
Russia’s FSB detains scientist on suspicion of treason – https://t.co/CMcgyCRZnc
— Parisa Hafezi (@PHREUTERS) August 20, 2024
Russia’s FSB: Scientist Transferred Crypto, Assisted in DDoS Attacks
Agents alleged that the individual “took part in DDoS attacks on a vital Russian infrastructure.”
DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) refers to a method where attackers inundate servers with excessive traffic, often leading to site crashes or hindering user access.
The FSB did not disclose any specifics regarding the volume of cryptocurrency the scientist allegedly transmitted, nor the types of coins involved.
Additionally, the agency did not reveal the names of the scientific institutions where the individual purportedly worked.
It also declined to identify the “critical Russian structure” that reportedly experienced the DDoS attack.
“The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation has initiated a criminal case against an employee of a scientific organization based on a crime under […] the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.”
Public Relations Center, FSB
The offense is categorized under Russian law as “high treason,” as reported by media outlets on August 22.
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Authorities indicated that the suspect “established communication with representatives of Ukraine’s special services.”
The FSB alleged that following the directives of Ukrainian agents, he “conducted DDoS attacks on critically significant Russian facilities.”
Indian PM Modi’s visit to Ukraine on Friday is likely to be closely watched by New Delhi’s longstanding ally, Russia. https://t.co/N2hKKjNzxr
— NBC News World (@NBCNewsWorld) August 22, 2024
The agency stated that the individual’s objectives included “compromising the information security of the Russian Federation.”
Moreover, the FSB claimed that the individual also “gathered information regarding Russian military personnel and the movement of military assets.”
Authorities asserted that the scientist’s cryptocurrency contributions were utilized “in Ukraine for the acquisition of weapons and military equipment for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
Suspect Has Provided a Confession – Agents
The FSB reported that the individual had given officers a “confession.” They determined that the scientist had been “remanded in custody as a preventive measure.”
Since the onset of the conflict with Ukraine, the FSB has accused several individuals of treason for alleged support of Kyiv.
In 2023, the FSB charged a person from the far eastern region of Khabarovsk Krai with offenses related to cryptocurrency.
Additionally, Russia’s Sberbank claimed last year that over $5 million worth of cryptocurrency had been transferred from Russian-based wallets to recipients in Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict.
A source within the Ukrainian crypto industry, who requested anonymity, informed Cryptonews.com that the use of cryptocurrency is “significantly increasing” in both Russia and Ukraine.
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