Archive · 8 Jan 2026
Russia Frees French Researcher in Exchange
A Russian man named Daniil Kasatkin was detained in France because the U.S. thought he was part of a group that hacked American companies.
He said he wasn't involved and that his device was hacked by others.
Meanwhile, a French researcher named Laurent Vinatier was sentenced to prison in Russia for breaking their 'foreign agent' laws.
Russia made an offer to France about Vinatier's case, and now Kasatkin has been released and sent back to Moscow.
In return, Russia freed Vinatier from prison.
It seems like there might be a swap happening between the two countries.
Daniil Kasatkin, a Russian man, was detained in France on June 21, 2023, at the request of the U.S. for alleged cyberhacking.
Kasatkin denied the accusations and claimed his device was hacked by cybercriminals.
Kasatkin was released from detention on January 8, 2024, and flown back to Moscow.
Russia freed Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a three-year prison sentence for violating Moscow’s foreign agent laws, in exchange for France’s release of Kasatkin.
Vinatier was convicted in October 2024 and was facing a further trial for espionage.
- Who
- Daniil Kasatkin, a Russian man, and Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher
- What
- Kasatkin's release from detention in France and Vinatier's release from a Russian prison in a prisoner exchange
- When
- January 8, 2024
- Where
- Paris, France, and Moscow, Russia
- Why
- Kasatkin was detained for alleged cyberhacking, and Vinatier was sentenced in Russia for violating 'foreign agent' laws
- Daniil Kasatkin
- Russian man detained in France for alleged cyberhacking
- Release Date
- January 8, 2024
- Location
- Paris, France, and Moscow, Russia
- Accusations
- Part of a hacking network using ransomware against U.S. companies and federal institutions
- Laurent Vinatier
- French researcher sentenced in Russia for violating 'foreign agent' laws
- Kremlin's Offer
- Unspecified offer made to France regarding Vinatier's case
- Kasatkin's Defense
- Denied accusations and claimed his device was hacked by cybercriminals
- Vinatier's Sentence
- Three-year prison sentence for violating Moscow’s foreign agent laws
- Additional Charges
- Facing further trial for espionage
Sources
France releases Russian man wanted in US for cyberhacking, lawyer says
Russia frees French researcher Vinatier from prison, state media says
Russia frees French researcher Vinatier in prisoner exchange, state media says
Russia Frees French Scholar In Prisoner Swap For Basketball Player Held In France