Bassterlord

Bassterlord, a known threat actor and affiliate of the LockBit group, has been associated with multiple malicious cyber activities since August 2021. Operating under the alias "Bassterlord," Ivan Kondratyev allegedly deployed LockBit ransomware against private and municipal entities in New York, Oregon, and Puerto Rico, as well as targets in Taiwan, Singapore, and Lebanon. Bassterlord, also believed to be the leader of a subgroup within the LockBit operation named the "National Hazard Agency," frequently communicated with other malevolent actors and made references to rejoining the LockBit affiliate program. In February 2024, a significant disruption operation was launched, coinciding with the unsealing of an indictment in the District of New Jersey. The indictment charged Russian nationals Artur Sungatov and Ivan Kondratyev, also known as Bassterlord, with deploying LockBit against numerous victims across the United States and globally. Victims included businesses in the manufacturing and semiconductor industries among others. This indictment highlighted the international reach of the LockBit group and its affiliates, including Bassterlord. The US government has previously charged other members of the LockBit group, including Artur Sungatov and Ivan Kondratyev (Bassterlord), along with Ruslan Magomedovich Astamirov, Mikhail Matveev (Wazawaka), and Mikhail Vasiliev. These charges underscore the ongoing efforts by authorities to disrupt the activities of the LockBit group and its associates. The case of Bassterlord underscores the complexity of cybercrime and the necessity for continued vigilance and cooperation among international law enforcement agencies.