ICC
ICC probes Russian cyberattacks on Ukraine for possible war crimes
The International Criminal Court’s prosecutors have launched an investigation into claims that Russia conducted cyberattacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, thereby committing war crimes.
Reports stated that this is the first indication that cyberattacks are being looked at by foreign prosecutors.
With sufficient evidence, ICC might issue arrest warrants, as an official said outlined areas of probe to include attacks on infrastructure that put lives in jeopardy by cutting off water and power supply, cutting off emergency services connections, or turning off mobile data networks that broadcast alerts about impending air raids.
Indications are that the scope of the probe would also cover activities beyond the current conflict, which started in February 2022 with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Consequently, the ICC might look at cyberattacks from 2015, including Russia’s invasion of Crimea.
Two other sources close to the ICC prosecutor’s office cited by Reuters, said the probe into cyberattacks in Ukraine may extend as far as 2015, the year following Russia’s seizure and unilateral annexation of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine.
Moscow had consistently denied claims that it conducts cyberattacks, characterising the charges as an attempt to stir up anti-Russian sentiment.
Ukraine is gathering proof to back up the ICC prosecutor’s inquiry according to the report.
The ICC prosecutor’s office has stated that it has the authority to look into cybercrimes, but it did not respond to requests for comment on Friday.
Also, it has stated that it is unable to comment on issues related to ongoing investigations.
Earlier report stated that a former employee as an engineer at Amazon, Shakeeb Ahmed, has been sentenced to a three-year term behind bars due to his involvement in a crypto breach that netted over $12 million.