Aeroflot, Russia's national airline, faced substantial operational challenges after the pro-Ukrainian group Silent Crow, in collaboration with the Belarusian hackers Cyberpartisans, claimed responsibility for a cyber-attack that disrupted its information systems. According to a statement from Silent Crow on Telegram, the operation was described as a "prolonged and large-scale" attempt that allegedly "completely destroyed" Aeroflot's IT infrastructure.
The attack led to the cancellation of more than 40 flights primarily within Russia, but also affecting routes to Belarus and Armenia. In response to the disruption, a Russian MP, Anton Gorelkin, highlighted the war's impact across multiple fronts, including cyber warfare. Aeroflot acknowledged issues with its information systems, which resulted in extensive delays and travel disruptions for hundreds of passengers.
Silent Crow further escalated the situation by threatening to release personal data of all individuals who have traveled with Aeroflot. The Belarusian Cyberpartisans supported the attack, framing it as assistance to Ukrainians in their ongoing conflict with Russia.
While hacker groups often exaggerate their operational success, the Russian prosecutor's office did confirm that a cyber-attack had indeed affected Aeroflot's operations and that an investigation was underway. As the cyber conflict intensifies, attributes of both pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian groups have become increasingly visible since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In recent months, travelers in Russia have frequently experienced disruptions, including incidents where hundreds of flights were canceled due to drone attacks. The ongoing cyber warfare highlights the destructive effects of technology in modern conflict and raises questions about the broader implications for digital security in the region.
