Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
Russia's cybercrime underground is starting to recover from the disruptions caused during the ongoing war, which could spell bad news for U.S. companies, experts told Axios.
The big picture: Before the war started, some still hoped Russian President Vladimir Putin might crack down on the deluge of ransomware gangs in his country.
Why it matters: The war has killed off any incentive Putin may have had to stop cybercrime operations from targeting Western organizations.
Flashback: When the war started, factions formed within cybercrime forums between those who supported Russia's war and those who stood with Ukraine.
What's happening: Initial slowdowns in the Russian cybercrime underground have proven to be only blips, experts told Axios.
Between the lines: Even Russian cybercriminals who have fled their country to avoid the draft are seemingly starting to deploy ransomware attacks, Thanos said.
The intrigue: By enabling cybercrime gangs, the Russian government can claim it wasn't responsible for any of the groups' attacks while reaping the benefits of seeing Western organizations hindered.
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