Silent Crow and Cyberpartisans claim responsibility, affecting tens of thousands of travelers amid ongoing tensions.
**Pro-Ukraine Hacker Group Claims Cyber Attack on Aeroflot**
**Pro-Ukraine Hacker Group Claims Cyber Attack on Aeroflot**
Pro-Ukrainian hackers target Russia's national airline, leading to flight cancellations and system disruptions.
The Russian national airline Aeroflot has reported significant disruptions to its flight operations following a cyberattack allegedly orchestrated by pro-Ukrainian hacker group Silent Crow. The hackers claimed they executed a "prolonged and large-scale operation," which they stated had resulted in the total destruction of Aeroflot's IT systems. In response, the airline announced the cancellation of **over 40 flights**, primarily affecting routes within Russia as well as some destinations in Belarus and Armenia.
In a statement via Telegram, Silent Crow further threatened to leak the personal information of all individuals who have ever traveled with Aeroflot, concluding with patriotic slogans supporting Ukraine and Belarus. The Belarusian hacking outfit Cyberpartisans also acknowledged its involvement, declaring their commitment to assist Ukrainians against what they describe as an occupying force, while promoting the paralysis of Russia's largest airline through cyber warfare.
Concerns within the Kremlin were echoed by Russian MP Anton Gorelkin, who highlighted the multifaceted nature of the ongoing conflict, stating, “the war against our country is being waged on all fronts, including the digital one.” Although groups like Silent Crow are known to amplify their success claims, the situation has prompted the Russian prosecutor's office to confirm flaws in Aeroflot's information systems attributed to this hacker assault. An investigation is currently underway, assessing the implications of this unprecedented cyber disruption.
Passengers affected by the cancellations and delays will be accommodated on flights operated by alternative carriers, according to the Russian transport ministry. This latest incident serves as a striking example of the volatile digital landscape that has emerged since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces in early 2022.
In recent months, attacks on aviation infrastructure in Russia have become more frequent, with previous incidents in July leading to similar widespread cancellations at Moscow airports. As the lines blur between hacktivism and cyber warfare, the activity of such hacker groups continues to escalate, underlining the ongoing conflict’s expansion into the realm of cyberspace.
In a statement via Telegram, Silent Crow further threatened to leak the personal information of all individuals who have ever traveled with Aeroflot, concluding with patriotic slogans supporting Ukraine and Belarus. The Belarusian hacking outfit Cyberpartisans also acknowledged its involvement, declaring their commitment to assist Ukrainians against what they describe as an occupying force, while promoting the paralysis of Russia's largest airline through cyber warfare.
Concerns within the Kremlin were echoed by Russian MP Anton Gorelkin, who highlighted the multifaceted nature of the ongoing conflict, stating, “the war against our country is being waged on all fronts, including the digital one.” Although groups like Silent Crow are known to amplify their success claims, the situation has prompted the Russian prosecutor's office to confirm flaws in Aeroflot's information systems attributed to this hacker assault. An investigation is currently underway, assessing the implications of this unprecedented cyber disruption.
Passengers affected by the cancellations and delays will be accommodated on flights operated by alternative carriers, according to the Russian transport ministry. This latest incident serves as a striking example of the volatile digital landscape that has emerged since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces in early 2022.
In recent months, attacks on aviation infrastructure in Russia have become more frequent, with previous incidents in July leading to similar widespread cancellations at Moscow airports. As the lines blur between hacktivism and cyber warfare, the activity of such hacker groups continues to escalate, underlining the ongoing conflict’s expansion into the realm of cyberspace.
