The notorious hacker organization – Anonymous – has reportedly offered Russian troops payments in bitcoin to hand over their tanks. The group would pay more than $52,000 in BTC for each surrendered combat vehicle.
BTC in exchange for a tank
The Ukrainian side tried to stop the Russian invasion not only with weapons and direct combat, but also by striking them numerically. A few days ago, Mykhailo Fedorov – Deputy PR of Ukraine – announcement the government will create a computer army. “We need digital talent. There will be tasks for everyone. We continue to fight on the cyber front,” he explained.
The intercontinental hacker group – Anonymous – has also conducted several cyber-attacks on Russia. In just two days, the organization breached more than 300 Russian targets collecting over RUB 1 billion (around $10 million).
In another attempt to reduce the power of Russian forces and make additional profits, Anonymous reportedly offered tank crews $52,000 in bitcoins for each combat machine returned. Those wishing to exchange such vehicles for cryptocurrency must wave a white flag and use the password “million” so that the hacking group can recognize them.
“Russian soldiers, everyone who wants to live with their families, children, and not die, the Anonymous global community has collected RUB 1,225,043 in bitcoin to help you,” their message states.
Anonymous declared war against Vladimir Putin at the end of February. At the time, the group warned that the Russian leader “will face unprecedented cyberattacks from all corners of the world” if he does not halt his invasion of Ukraine.
The Western World Trying to Stop Putin
Despite not entering into direct military combat with Russian forces in Ukraine, the “big powers” have declared economic war on Russia.
The EU has imposed a ban on transactions with the Russian Central Bank, aimed at cutting its monetary connection with Western Europe.
The UK has also introduced similar measures. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asserted that Russian banks will be excluded from the UK financial system.
The United States has also joined the club by preventing a dozen large public companies from raising funds in the United States; these include energy company Gazprom and Sberbank, Russia’s largest financial institution. In addition to these sanctions, a Biden administration spokesperson said:
“Our strategy, to put it simply, is to make sure that the Russian economy goes backward. As long as President Putin decides to go forward with his invasion of Ukraine.”
These embargoes have caused many Russians to turn to cryptocurrencies as an alternative financial instrument. Despite numerous requests to stop the service from these users, major digital asset platforms, including Binance and Kraken, have decided not to.
