Biden says mulls Russia cyberattack retribution

A JBS meat placing plant is viewed in Plainwell, Michigan, on June 2, 2021. AFP

US President Joe Biden on June 3 said he is “looking” at possible retaliation after the White House linked Russia to a cyberattack against global meat processing giant JBS.

The ransomware attack on a US subsidiary of Brazilian-owned JBS has again prompted accusations that Russia is at least harbouring cybercriminals.

Similar suspicions were raised after ransomware hackers forced the temporary shutdown of the huge Colonial fuel pipeline in the eastern US last month.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on June 3 attributed the attack to “REvil and Sodinokibi”, which experts have said are two names for the same hacking group with ties to Russia.

The White House has not blamed the Kremlin directly, only suggesting that criminal groups are operating from inside Russia. However, Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that “responsible states do not harbour” cybercriminals.

For its part, Russia on June 3 said it would be open to any US request for help in investigating the cyberattack.

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