Media suspect Bitcoin extortionists behind barn explosion in Dnipropetrovsk region

Early on December 16, a blast occurred on the grounds of a private house in the village of Zhemchuzhne in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The local police’s press service reports.

Investigators, explosive experts and rescuers were at the scene. As a result of the incident, no one was injured. Police are investigating the circumstances of what happened.

Local media, citing their own sources, claim that during the site inspection a grenade tail fin, fragments of a launching device, and an empty RPG-22 launcher tube with damaged markings were found. The blast damaged a barn.

In the yard, a folder containing a USB flash drive was also found, allegedly containing threats to farmers demanding repayment of a debt of 4 BTC (about $187,000 at the time of writing) by the New Year.

Sources said that an unknown man had left the USB drive a few minutes before the explosion. The police have not yet commented on this information.

Earlier in October Bitcoin extortionists attacked the large Ukrainian pharmacy chain «АНЦ». The attackers hacked the company’s information-security system, blocked the website and cut internet access to the pharmacies’ branches.

According to the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, from July to October 2021 they recorded no fewer than six ransomware attacks on major businesses.

Follow ForkLog’s Bitcoin news in our Telegram — cryptocurrency news, prices and analysis.