The European Union has taken significant steps in its ongoing efforts to target those supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine by imposing sanctions on individuals and entities involved in cyberwarfare and information operations. Among those sanctioned is Lee Chang Ho, the head of North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB), which oversees North Korean intelligence operations. Lee has been implicated in deploying personnel to assist Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine, including overseeing cyberattack units such as Lazarus and Kimsuky. The EU claims that Lee also coordinated North Korean soldiers in the battlefield, with some potentially tasked with irregular guerrilla warfare operations.
Lee Chang Ho is no stranger to international sanctions, having been previously blacklisted by South Korea and the U.S. due to his ties to North Korea’s intelligence activities.
RGB is believed to be responsible for many of North Korea’s most high-profile cyber operations, including espionage, disruptive attacks, and financial crimes. These operations have been attributed to notorious hacker groups like Lazarus, Kimsuky, and Andariel, which are known for their sophisticated cyberattacks and financial theft operations.
In addition to sanctions targeting Lee, the EU’s sanctions package also includes individuals and organizations involved in spreading pro-Russian narratives and conducting information operations. Russian blogger Kristina Potupchik, who has led anti-Ukraine media campaigns, and athlete Nikita Nagorny, accused of spreading pro-Russian propaganda, are among those sanctioned. Furthermore, the EU has targeted eight Russian media outlets, such as Eurasia Daily and SouthFront, which have been identified as key players in promoting Russia’s war efforts and destabilizing neighboring countries, including EU member states.
These sanctions are part of a broader EU strategy to combat Russian influence operations and cyberattacks. Previously, the EU had blacklisted Russian state-owned propaganda channels, such as Russia Today and Sputnik, and other media outlets that promote pro-Russian narratives. Meanwhile, the U.S. has also sanctioned Russian hacker groups like the Cyber Army of Russia Reborn (CARR), known for low-impact DDoS attacks against Ukraine and its allies. The EU’s latest measures reflect the growing international consensus on the need to hold those responsible for cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns accountable.
