France Swaps Alleged Ransomware Operator for Jailed French Academic in Russia

France released Russian basketball player Daniil Kasatkin, who was sought by the US over alleged ties to ransomware attacks, as part of a prisoner swap that also freed French researcher Laurent Vinatier from Russian custody, Reuters reported on January 8. 

Kasatkin was detained at Paris’s Charles de Gaulle airport on June 21, 2025, at the request of the US, which accused him of being part of a hacking network that used ransomware  against US companies and federal institutions.

US authorities suspect he helped negotiate ransom payments for a ransomware group that targeted about 900 organizations, including two US federal institutions, between 2020 and 2022. 

His lawyer, stated that “He bought a used computer. He did absolutely nothing wrong. He’s shocked,” and has said Kasatkin had no computer expertise and believed the device had been controlled by cybercriminals. 

Read more

Category

World

Accused Russian Spy’s Drunken Texts to the FBI Landed Her Behind Bars

Dec 11, 2025 11:03

Russia’s security service said Vinatier was exchanged for Kasatkin and had been pardoned by the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin. Vinatier had been serving a three-year sentence for violating Russia’s “foreign agent” registration law and was also under investigation for espionage.

French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X: “Our compatriot Laurent Vinatier is free and back in France. I share the relief felt by his family and loved ones.”

Earlier, it was reported that Alexander Vinnik, accused by US authorities of laundering billions through the BTC-e cryptocurrency exchange and previously transferred via France, returned to Moscow after being released in a swap for Mark Fogel.

On the Frontline of Truth

Our reporters risk their lives to show what’s really happening in Ukraine. Your support keeps them safe, equipped, and reporting.

SUPPORT FRONTLINE REPORTS