A chilling network of cyberattacks targeting critical U.S. infrastructure has been exposed, with a Ukrainian woman now facing decades in prison for her alleged role. Victoria Eduardovna Dubranova, known by several aliases, stands accused of collaborating with Russian-backed hacking groups to disrupt essential American services.
Unsealed indictments reveal Dubranova, 33, allegedly worked with two distinct operations: CyberArmyofRussia_Reborn (CARR) and NoName057(16). Both groups are accused of receiving direct support from Russian government entities, effectively weaponizing cyber warfare to advance Moscow’s geopolitical aims.
The impact of these attacks wasn’t merely digital; it bled into the real world. CARR, allegedly founded and funded by Russian military intelligence, boasted a massive online following and is linked to the contamination of public water systems, resulting in hundreds of thousands of gallons of lost drinking water.
A particularly alarming incident involved a breach at a Los Angeles meat processing facility in November 2024. The attack spoiled thousands of pounds of product and, more dangerously, released ammonia, posing a significant health risk to the surrounding area.
NoName057(16) proved equally disruptive, launching over 1,500 attacks between March 2022 and June 2025. Their targets spanned a broad spectrum – government agencies, telecommunications, financial institutions, and even transportation authorities – extending beyond U.S. borders to include Ukraine and several European nations.
The group even took credit for cyberattacks against Dutch infrastructure coinciding with the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague, demonstrating a clear intent to destabilize international events. Officials describe their tactics as “opportunistic” and focused on creating chaos and gaining notoriety.
Dubranova has pleaded not guilty to the charges, but faces a potential sentence of up to 32 years if convicted. Trials are scheduled for February and April 2026, promising a detailed examination of the evidence.
In a bold move, the State Department’s Rewards for Justice program is offering a substantial $10 million reward for information leading to the identification of other individuals involved with NoName057(16). The message is direct: anonymity will not protect those who participated in these attacks.
The Department of Justice has made it clear that it is committed to dismantling these malicious cyber operations, regardless of whether they are directly controlled by the Russian state or carried out by their proxies. Protecting essential services and holding perpetrators accountable remains a top priority.
