Russian Hackers Breach US Federal Court Systems, Expose Sensitive Criminal Case Data

The U.S. federal court system, specifically the PACER electronic case filing system, has suffered a large-scale cyberattack believed to be at least partly orchestrated by Russian government-linked hackers. The breach targeted medium-scale criminal case files, particularly those involving individuals with Russian and Eastern European surnames, and exposed sensitive sealed documents including indictments, arrest warrants, and information that could reveal confidential informants and national security-related sources. The U.S. Administrative Office of the Courts confirmed the attack, describing it as a sophisticated and persistent intrusion that may have lasted years and stressed ongoing efforts to strengthen cybersecurity measures. This incident follows previous Russian cyberattacks on U.S. government systems, such as the 2020 SolarWinds hack, highlighting a continued pattern of targeting U.S. judicial and government infrastructure. The breach's timing coincided with a diplomatic meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid discussions on Ukraine, though investigation into the exact timing and responsible Russian intelligence units remains ongoing. U.S. officials are collaborating with Congress and the executive branch to mitigate risks and enhance protections for sensitive court data.