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Russian access broker sentenced to over 6 years in prison for ransomware schemes

Cyberscoop •Greg Otto • March 24, 2026

A federal court in Indiana sentenced a Russian cybercriminal to 81 months in prison on charges related to his role as an initial access broker for ransomware groups. Aleksei Volkov, 26, of St. Petersburg, Russia, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to six federal charges stemming from his work with the Yanluowang ransomware group and other […]

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Russian Access Broker Sentenced for $9M Ransomware Facilitation Aleksei Volkov, a 26-year-old Russian citizen, was sentenced to 81 months in prison for his role as an initial access broker (IAB) facilitating ransomware attacks against U.S. companies, including the Yanluowang group. His actions resulted in over $9 million in actual losses and more than $24 million in intended losses. Volkov specialized in gaining unauthorized access to corporate networks and selling that access to cybercriminals, enabling ransomware deployment that encrypted victims' data. He was arrested in Italy in January 2024 and extradited to the U.S. after being indicted. Volkov pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit computer fraud. As part of his plea agreement, he agreed to pay restitution of approximately $9.2 million to known victims. His case highlights the critical role of access brokers in the ransomware economy, where specialization allows for more efficient attacks. 21 sources 54

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Russian access broker sentenced to over 6 years in prison for ransomware schemes

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