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Comment by em3rgent0rdr | Hacker News Reader

Aren't Russian computer systems already beyond the protection of US law?

Why would they be? If you're physically in the US and commit a crime, I think it's still a US crime even if the victim is outside the US.

I doubt the US would prosecute you though for hacking Russia.

I remeber a video from the grugq where he said he has a "friend" who pirated Iran targets directly from US IPs because he knew he had no chance of being extraded.

What does pirated mean in this context? Usually I think of computer-related pirating as copyright infringement, but this sounds more serious.

It depends. If they know they will do nothing, but in future if they find problem with you, who knows?

Defending an ally from an enemy is not something the US government punishes people for. If you want to help the people of Ukraine then #standwithukraine.

ukraine is not an ally of USA though

They are allies. US, Canada, etc has given loans, sent resources and weapons.

Wouldn't that make Russia an ally too?

Can't remember us sending weapons for free to Russia or having a country level loan

But Russia can be an ally against certain enemies like isis because interests align. Similiar to China.

Ukraine is a democracy ally which puts them on another level and talks about them joining nato also put them on a different level.

Attacking systems still remains illegal within US. Making that choice is a bet on the whims of what prosecutors are willing to prosecute.

Yes, exactly. And some of us have been subject to the whims of prosecutors in the past. It's relatively easy to say that you trust the US to do what is right compared to Russia, it's much harder to put your faith and your future in the hands of any government.

Exactly. Prosecutors goals are to prosecute. Even if they don't see the prosecution through to the end because it becomes politically unfavorable, you might still sit in pre-trial detention for a decade before they drop the charges.

Russia is a pariah amongst the world for their invasion of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian American veterans flying to Poland to defend Ukraine right now are also breaking US law, but there will not be any legal consequences for their courage and bravery.

For another country to go after US citizens, the country has to first file paperwork in US federal court, and then, have a judge care enough to proceed.

What drugs are you on to think Russia has any standing in US court regarding _anything_ that happens in Ukraine?

This isn't true. You can certainly be prosecuted for committing crimes against enemies of the state. There's a reason we distinguish between law enforcement officials and civilians. Blur that line and things can get nasty.

Is Russia an _official_ enemy though? I mean morally, after yesterday, of course. But is there any legal grounds?

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