Russian initial access broker helped ransomware gangs extort millions, sentenced to 81 months

Aleksei Volkov, a Russian national acting as an initial access broker, was arrested, extradited to the United States, and sentenced to 81 months in prison after pleading guilty to offenses related to selling unauthorized network access to ransomware groups; his actions contributed to more than $9 million in actual losses and over $24 million in intended losses. He pleaded guilty to multiple charges, agreed to pay restitution and forfeit equipment, and the case underscores law enforcement efforts to target individuals who enable ransomware operations.