Ex-Kaspersky employee faces US hacking charges over alleged FSB ties

Denis Obrezko, a computer expert charged in Boston with hacking, has pleaded not guilty to the allegations. Court documents and a former colleague reveal that Obrezko previously held a senior position at Moscow-based antivirus firm Kaspersky Lab between 2017 and 2019, according to reports from Reuters and the Jerusalem Post.

Leaked salary documents and a former colleague of Obrezko provided the details of his tenure at Kaspersky, which operates as a major player in global cybersecurity. The case has drawn attention to the firm's past connections to Russian state actors, though Kaspersky has long denied any improper ties.

"US prosecutors allege Obrezko spent the five years prior working for Russia's FSB intelligence service."

jpost.comComputer expert charged in US hacking case previously worked at Kaspersky Lab, documents show

This allegation forms the core of the government's case, suggesting that Obrezko's work for Kaspersky may have served as a cover for ongoing espionage activities. The FSB is Russia's primary security and intelligence agency, and such charges are rare in U.S. courts.

Reuters reported that Obrezko is described as an alleged Russian cyber spy, and the case underscores ongoing tensions between Washington and Moscow over cyber operations. The defendant remains free pending trial, and his legal team has not commented on the specific evidence.

The Kaspersky connection adds another layer to a long-running narrative about the company's role in Russian intelligence operations. While Obrezko's case proceeds, it continues to fuel scrutiny of how foreign technology firms operate within sensitive U.S. infrastructure.