Who are the two major hackers Russia just received in a prisoner swap?

In a recent prisoner swap between the US and Russia, two notable hackers, Vladislav Klyushin and Roman Seleznev, were returned to Russia. Klyushin was convicted of orchestrating one of the largest insider trading schemes in US history, utilizing hacked nonpublic information to make profitable stock trades. He was arrested in 2021 while attempting to travel to Switzerland and was sentenced to nine years in prison, along with a forfeiture of $34 million. His hacking activities involved breaching financial filing agents to gain early access to corporate earnings reports, allowing him to manipulate stock prices effectively.

Roman Seleznev, on the other hand, was described by federal prosecutors as having caused significant financial losses to numerous victims, making him one of the most damaging cybercriminals prosecuted in the US. The swap, which also included the release of journalist Evan Gershkovich and several Russian opposition figures, highlights the Russian government's support for hackers who have targeted US interests. The return of Klyushin and Seleznev signals a message to domestic hackers that their actions against adversaries will be protected. Both men had established connections and engaged in extensive cybercriminal activities, which ultimately led to their high-profile exchange.