**FBI and Microsoft Dismantle Russian Cyber-Espionage Network, Seizing Over 100 Domains**

In a significant blow to Russian cyber operations, the FBI and Microsoft have seized more than 100 web domains allegedly used by Russian intelligence for espionage activities. This operation, detailed in court documents unsealed on Thursday, targeted the domains purportedly utilized by Russia's FSB intelligence agency to infiltrate and harvest sensitive information from various organizations, including U.S. government departments and critics of the Kremlin.

The FBI revealed that these domains were instrumental in a sophisticated "spear phishing campaign." This form of targeted cyber attack aims to trick individuals into divulging critical information such as email login credentials. The stolen data was reported to include sensitive intelligence crucial to U.S. national security, covering areas such as defense, foreign affairs, and nuclear energy technology.

According to the FBI, the Justice Department seized 41 of these domains, while Microsoft gained control over another 66. The goal was to disrupt the FSB's operations, which had been successfully breaching secure systems and potentially compromising U.S. intelligence and defense policies.

In a blog post, Steven Masada, assistant general counsel for Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit, emphasized the importance of the seizure, asserting that it would substantially hinder the activities of Russian cyberspies. This action, he noted, is particularly timely given the heightened concerns over foreign interference in U.S. democratic processes.

This legal takedown marks a rare and transparent effort by the U.S. legal system to disrupt foreign cyber-espionage. Historically, intelligence agencies worldwide conduct such operations clandestinely, but this public disclosure underscores the severity and reach of the FSB's cyber activities.

Despite the FSB's extensive cyber capabilities, there is currently no evidence publicly accusing the agency of attempting to interfere in the upcoming 2024 U.S. elections. However, this is not the first incident of Russian state-backed cyber interference in democratic processes. In 2016, Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU, was accused of hacking into and releasing emails from Hillary Clinton's campaign

Additionally, last year, the Justice Department indicted two FSB officers for allegedly trying to influence British politics by hacking into email accounts of parliamentarians and think tanks, and leaking sensitive material ahead of the 2019 U.K. elections.

Many of the seized domains were hosted by Verisign, a Virginia-based company. There is no indication that Verisign was aware of their involvement in these operations, and the company has not publicly commented on the matter.

Natalia Krapiva of the nonprofit Access Now praised the operation, calling it a victory for nonprofits frequently targeted by state-sponsored cyber attacks. She highlighted the success of collaborative efforts between private companies, governments, and civil society in protecting vulnerable communities from such threats.

This operation demonstrates the potential impact of joint actions against cyber espionage and signals a robust stance against foreign cyber threats.