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New Ransomware Spreads Through Russia and Europe
BadRabbit, a new ransomware, the next big cyber attack since ‘NotPetya,’ has been spreading across Russia, Ukraine and other Eastern European countries. Ukraine’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) has confirmed the news regarding the new wave of hacks infecting computer systems in the country.
According to media reports, the ransomware is targeting corporate networks, computer systems for the Kiev Metro, Ukraine’s Odessa International Airport and several Russian media outlets. The malware has also reached Turkey and Bulgaria in addition to Germany and a few other countries. Currently, ESET and Kaspersky’s cybersecurity researchers are keeping a track of the attack.
According to ESET, the malware used for the cyber attack was Diskcoder.D, which is a new variant of ransomware also known as Petya. In June this year, the previous variant of Diskcoder, NotPetya, was used in a damaging cyber attack on a global scale. According to Wired, Kaspersky has counted close to 200 BadRabbit victims out of which 50 or 60 are Ukrainian government computers. However, ESET estimated only 12. 2% of victims were from Ukraine while 65% of the victims were in Russia.
Speaking about the latest cyber attack, Roman Boyarchuk, the Head of the Center for Cyber Protection in Ukraine said, “A lot of systems have been manually disconnected because of the attack, in part to control the spread of the ransomware.” While the outbreak has affected only a small fraction of the size of the NotPetya epidemic, Kaspersky found strong evidence tying the new attack to the creators of the NotPetya ransomware. The cybersecurity firm noted 30 sites which were used to spread Petya also began the distribution of the BadRabbit malware on Tuesday.
The Director of Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis team, Costin Raiu, said, “This indicates that the actors behind ExPetr/NotPetya have been carefully planning the BadRabbit attack since July.” The new ransomware, according to Kaspersky, spreads by using the Windows Management Instrumentation Command Line in combination with user credentials the malware steals using the open source tool Mimikatz. Similar to NotPetya, BadRabbit also uses Microsoft’s Server Message Block protocol to spread between computers, using the credentials hardcoded into its software.
Despite the various similarities, it’s still unclear who is behind the recent attack. All computers affected with the malware were directed to a .onion Tor domain and asked to pay 0.05 Bitcoins or roughly $ 276 in exchange for their data. However, all infected users are discouraged from paying the ransom as it is not yet clear if BadRabbit actually decrypts the data after collecting the ransom.
OpenAI’s introduction of trusted contact safeguards for potential self-harm cases reflects a major evolution in AI responsibility.
Beyond Moderation
AI safety is shifting from simply blocking harmful content to actively supporting user wellbeing through:
- early risk detection
- human-centered intervention
- stronger emotional safety frameworks
This positions AI as more than an information tool—it becomes part of broader digital support systems.
Key Industry Impact
Trusted contact models could influence future safety standards across:
- AI assistants
- mental health platforms
- social media
- digital health services
The Bigger Challenge
While promising, success depends on balancing:
- privacy
- consent
- ethical intervention
- user trust
Final Take
This move signals that the future of AI safety may rely not just on preventing harmful responses, but on building more responsible, human-connected support systems.
Rozana, India’s leading rural retail platform, has secured ₹290 crore ($35 million) in a Series B funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), with participation from Omidyar Network India, Vivid Capital, and Tana Investment Holding. This Rozana funding brings its total capital to over ₹500 crore, fueling hyperlocal expansion in underserved rural markets. Founded in 2021 by brothers Prashant and Prateek Chauhan, the startup’s phygital model blends micro-stores, app-based ordering, and last-mile delivery to connect 5 million+ users in 12 states with brands like ITC and HUL.
The ₹290 crore investment will supercharge Rozana’s rural omnichannel retail strategy, targeting 5x growth in 18 months. Plans include adding 5,000 micro-stores in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan; AI-powered inventory tech; and new categories like groceries and electronics. By empowering 20,000+ rural micro-entrepreneurs, Rozana taps into India’s $700 billion rural retail boom, where smartphone penetration and UPI drive 12% annual growth.
This Rozana Series B milestone positions it as a frontrunner against rivals like Ninjacart, eyeing unicorn status by 2028 amid ONDC tailwinds. CEO Prashant Chauhan emphasized, “We’re building rural prosperity through accessible premium brands.” For more on Rozana funding news and rural retail trends, stay updated on India’s startup ecosystem.
Peak XV Partners has launched three new funds totaling $1.3 billion, targeting India’s booming startup ecosystem. The lineup features the $600M Surge fund (8th edition) for early-stage ventures, a $300M Growth Fund for Series B+ scaling, and a $400M Acceleration Fund for rapid portfolio expansion. This commitment arrives as India’s VC inflows rebound, with AI and fintech leading 2026 trends.
These funds build on Peak XV’s legacy of backing unicorns like Zomato and Pine Labs, offering founders capital plus strategic guidance amid post-winter recovery. Early-stage deals surged 20% last year per Tracxn, positioning Peak XV to fuel the next wave of innovation in SaaS, climate tech, and consumer plays.
For startups eyeing Peak XV new funds or Surge fund 2026 applications, this signals prime opportunities. Investors and marketers should watch for deployment updates India remains a global VC hotspot.
