Ukranian national charged in LA with computer hacking in support of Russia

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) - A Ukrainian woman is facing federal charges in Los Angeles alleging she took part in Russian state-sponsored computer breaches on U.S. companies, including a cyberattack on a Vernon meat processor that purportedly caused the spoilage of more than 2,000 pounds of meat and triggered an ammonia leak, according to court papers unsealed today.   

Victoria Eduardovna Dubranova, 33 -- also known as ``Vika,'' ``Tory'' and ``SovaSonya'' -- was extradited to the United States earlier this year to face charges including tampering with public water systems, damaging protected computers, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.   

In one of two indictments unsealed Tuesday in Los Angeles federal court, prosecutors allege Dubranova and unnamed co-conspirators tampered with water system pumps and industrial equipment, causing damage to utilities and organizations providing drinking water in the U.S. The companies were not named in court papers.   

``The defendant's illegal actions to tamper with the nation's public water systems put communities and the nation's drinking water resources at risk,'' Craig Pritzlaff, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's acting assistant administrator, said in a statement.

``These criminal charges serve as an unequivocal warning to malicious cyber actors in the U.S. and abroad: EPA's Criminal Investigation Division and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate threats to our nation's water infrastructure and will pursue justice against those who endanger the American public. EPA is unwavering in its commitment to clean, safe water for all Americans.''

Dubranova is also charged in connection with a computer attack on an unidentified meat packing and processing company in Vernon last year in which conspirators shut off refrigeration, spoiling more than 2,000 pounds of meat, and triggering an ammonia leak, the DOJ said.

The facility had to be evacuated for more than four hours, resulting in at least $5,000 in damages, officials said.   

``Today's actions demonstrate the department's commitment to disrupting malicious Russian cyber activity -- whether conducted directly by state actors or their criminal proxies -- aimed at furthering Russia's geopolitical interests,'' Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said in a statement. ``We remain steadfast in defending essential services, including food and water systems Americans rely on each day, and holding accountable those who seek to undermine them.''

Dubranova pleaded not guilty Tuesday in downtown Los Angeles to charges in a second indictment charging her with conspiracy linked to a separate series of cyberattacks.

Dubranova's allegedly acted in support of two Russian state-sponsored cyber-criminal hacking groups -- CyberArmyofRussia_Reborn and NoName, both ``hacktivist'' organizations suspected of conducting cyberattacks, including distributed denial-of-service attacks, and intrusions against critical infrastructure around the world.   

The Russia-funded groups operate in support of Russia's geopolitical interests, according to the DOJ.