Aeroflot, the state airline of Russia, reported the cancellation of over 50 round-trip flights on Monday, a day marked by disturbances traced to a cyberattack claimed by a pro-Ukrainian hacker group. The airline announced that a failure in its information systems was the cause of the disruptions, with Russian prosecutors confirming the hack and launching a criminal investigation into the matter. The Kremlin described the incident as "worrying," reflecting concerns over the surrounding implications.
In recent months, pro-Ukrainian entities have been intensifying their efforts to undermine daily life in Russia. Drones from Ukraine have hit regions around Russian airports, causing havoc and airport closures during peak vacation times. The frequency of such attacks has become alarmingly common, leading to numerous flight delays and cancellations that have affected thousands of passengers.
On Monday, Aeroflot specifically mentioned that it was forced to recalibrate its flight schedules, leading to 56 cancellations out of 260 planned round-trip flights. The majority of impacted flights were within Russia, although some international routes were also affected. As a result of the cyber intrusion, ticket refund operations ceased, and access to personal accounts on Aeroflot's platform remained restricted.
This follows previous incidents where drone attacks resulted in the delays of over 50 passenger trains in central Russia. Recent drone strikes on the Black Sea coastal resort of Sochi additionally claimed two lives, necessitating hotel evacuations for guest safety. Furthermore, these attacks have led to major disruptions in mobile network services in Russia, compromising essential operations such as taxis, deliveries, and car sharing.
Analysts note that these cyber and drone operations signify a calculated strategy by Ukraine. The broad disruption coincides with the peak holiday season, complicating travel for many Russians. "This reflects a planned, systematic effort," remarked Valery Shiryaev, a Russian independent war specialist.
The hacking group known as Silent Crow announced the Aeroflot attack was executed in collaboration with Belarusian hacker group Cyber Partisans, characterizing it as a large-scale operation that significantly compromised Aeroflot's information systems. Although they claimed success in specific operations, a Russian communications authority assured that customer data remained secure.
Silent Crow has previously taken responsibility for attacks on various Russian entities, emphasizing their commitment to continued operations against what they perceive as threats to Belarusian and Ukrainian sovereignty. Dmitri S. Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, acknowledged the ongoing risk posed by cyber threats to major corporations.
This development underscores the continued hostility between Russia and Ukraine, with the battlefront expanding into the digital realm as both sides navigate a complex and evolving conflict landscape.
