ISTANBUL 

The US sanctioned five individuals and seven entities for cyber activities linked to Russia on Wednesday, adding them to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List in a coordinated initiative with Australia and the UK.

The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced the designations under two programs targeting Russia-related activities and cyber-enabled malicious conduct.

The initiative targets "bulletproof hosting" (BPH) service providers, which sell access to specialized servers and infrastructure designed to help cybercriminals evade detection, the agency said in a statement.

It seeks to protect infrastructure and key personnel in the cyber sector under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) and CYBER4 framework, which is related to the cyber-related sanctions program.

Specifically, it targets the Russia-based Media Land and its network for supporting prolific ransomware operations like Lockbit, BlackSuit, and Play, which target US and allied businesses. OFAC designated Media Land, three members of its leadership team, and three of its sister companies in coordination with the FBI.

Additionally, OFAC and the UK are designating Hypercore Ltd., a front company of Aeza Group, another BPH service provider sanctioned earlier this year, along with two individuals and two entities "that have led, materially supported, or acted for" it.

"These so-called bulletproof hosting service providers like Media Land provide cybercriminals essential services to aid them in attacking businesses in the United States and in allied countries," said John K. Hurley, US Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.

All five individuals are Russian nationals, while the seven entities are located in Russia, the UK, Uzbekistan, and Serbia, according to the sanctions list update.

The designation blocks all property and interests in property of the sanctioned individuals and entities in the US or in possession of US persons.