ALEKSEI Volkov, a Russian citizen described as an initial access broker, was sentenced to 81 months in prison for aiding major cybercrime groups, including the Yanluowang ransomware gang, in attacks against U.S. companies and other organisations. According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Volkov facilitated dozens of ransomware attacks across the United States, with losses recorded as over $9 million in actual losses and over $24 million in intended losses. The 26-year-old, from St.
Petersburg, Russia, found vulnerabilities, identified access methods, and sold illicit network access to conspirators who deployed malware to encrypt victims’ data and demand cryptocurrency ransom. On 25 November 2025, Volkov pleaded guilty to multiple counts from indictments in the Southern District of Indiana and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, including unlawful transfer of a means of identification and conspiracy to commit computer fraud, and he agreed to repay restitution to victims. He was arrested in Rome, extradited to the United States, and his co-conspirators used the access he provided to carry out the intrusions.