Ryuk-linked Karen Vardanyan sentenced to two years in U.S. prison
Summary
Karen Vardanyan was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay $1,219,106 in restitution after pleading guilty to computer fraud and conspiracy. Prosecutors attributed more than 2,400 attacks and at least $15 million in ransom to Ryuk.
Key points
- Vardanyan received a two-year federal prison sentence and three years of supervised release.
- He was ordered to pay $1,219,106 in restitution to victims.
- Vardanyan pleaded guilty to computer fraud and conspiracy; he was extradited from Ukraine after being arrested in Kyiv.
- Prosecutors said Ryuk carried out more than 2,400 ransomware attacks worldwide and extorted at least $15 million.
- Prosecutors said the attacks disrupted victims, including hospitals and municipalities, by restricting data access and affecting communications.
- The article says Universal Health Services’ Ryuk incident cost the company $67 million.
- The article reports that other alleged Ryuk members have been identified and arrested, and that a Russian man pleaded guilty to laundering funds for the group.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Criminal sentencing related to Ryuk ransomware attacks
- Impact
- Karen Vardanyan was sentenced to two years in federal prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to computer fraud and conspiracy. He was ordered to pay $1,219,106 in restitution. Prosecutors said Ryuk carried out more than 2,400 attacks and extorted at least $15 million; attacks disrupted victims’ access to data and communications, including at hospitals and municipalities.
MITRE ATT&CK
People
Andrii Leonydovich PrykhodchenkoIdentified and arrested as a member of the group; described as Ukrainian.Karen VardanyanAlleged core Ryuk gang member who pleaded guilty to computer fraud and conspiracy and was sentenced for his role in ransomware attacks.Levon Georgiyovych AvetisyanAnother Armenian national identified and arrested as a member of the group.Oleg Nikolayevich LyulyavaIdentified and arrested as a member of the group; described as Ukrainian.