Evil Corp: 6. Fatherland
Nov 24, 2025 · 1h 8m
Summary
In the final episode of Cyberhack’s Evilcore series, hosts Joe Tidy and Sarah Rainsford examine Maxim Yakubets, the alleged leader of the cybercrime group. With insights from UK National Crime Agency head Will Line, the episode details Yakubets’ lavish lifestyle, family ties, and alleged collaboration with Russian intelligence. It covers the 2019 US indictments, the impact of the Colonial Pipeline hack, and new claims that Evilcore conducted espionage for the Russian state.
Topics discussed
Sponsorship and Season 4 Announcement
Introducing Maxim Yakubets and the Evil Corp threat
Investigating the group's lavish lifestyle and family ties
The 2019 Indictments and FSB Attribution
Sanctions, family members, and the impact of naming
Evil Corp's resurgence and the $40 million ransomware heist
BBC investigation: Visiting Maxim's father in Moscow
The Colonial Pipeline attack and US-Russia tensions
Biden-Putin Geneva Summit and cyber diplomacy
Post-summit crackdowns and continued threats
New NCA dossier: High-confidence FSB link and family sanctions
Tracing the Yakubets family roots in Polone, Ukraine
The wedding and the role of Edouard Bendersky
Bendersky's background: VIMPL and the Moscow Theatre Siege
Bellingcat's investigation into the Berlin assassination
The prisoner swap and Krasikov's return to Russia
Conclusion: Evil Corp's resilience and future threats
Outro, credits, and upcoming podcast promotions
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