The European Union has enacted a series of stringent sanctions against the UK-based web-hosting provider Stark Industries, along with its CEO Iurie Neculiti and owner Ivan Neculiti, citing their involvement in destabilizing activities that support Russian interests. This move, announced by the European Council, underscores the EU’s ongoing commitment to counter Russian hybrid threats and protect its member states from cyberattacks and misinformation campaigns.
The sanctions target a total of 21 individuals and six entities that have been identified as instrumental in promoting Russian foreign policy and disseminating pro-Russian propaganda via various media channels. Stark Industries, in particular, has been singled out as a facilitator for state-sponsored cyber activities aimed at destabilizing the EU and other nations. According to the Council of the European Union, the company has enabled numerous Russian-affiliated actors to conduct cyberattacks and misinformation efforts against the EU.
Stark Industries operates internationally, providing servers in various countries including Germany, Turkey, and the United States, while accommodating a range of payment options often used to obscure the source of funds, such as Bitcoin and Monero. This practice has led to Stark Industries being referred to as a ‘bulletproof hosting provider.’ These allegations are backed by reports from cybersecurity firms that suggest the company’s servers have been extensively utilized for nefarious activities associated with notorious hacking groups like FIN7.
A report from the investigative organization CORRECTIV reveals that Stark Industries was established shortly before the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has since been linked to several disinformation campaigns aimed at benefiting Russian state interests. Recent investigations have indicated that the firm’s infrastructures were utilized in numerous DDoS attacks against adversaries, raising questions about its operational integrity and intentions.