Russia’s main airline, Aeroflot, was hit by a massive cyberattack that forced it to cancel over 40 flights on July 28. Most of the cancelled flights were within Russia, but some international routes to Minsk and Yerevan were also affected. At least 10 more flights were delayed.
A pro-Ukrainian hacker group named Silent Crow, along with a Belarusian group called Cyberpartisans BY, has claimed responsibility for the attack. They said this was part of a larger plan connected to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
What Happened?
According to reports:
- The hackers destroyed around 7,000 servers.
- They claimed to have gained access to employee computers, including those of senior officials.
- They even posted screenshots showing internal files from Aeroflot’s system.
- The group has threatened to leak the personal data of everyone who has ever flown with Aeroflot.
This attack caused major travel problems just as many people in Russia were beginning their holidays.
Russian Government Reacts
- The Kremlin (Russia’s government) called the situation “alarming”.
- A criminal investigation has been launched.
- Lawmaker Anton Gorelkin called the hack a “digital attack” and warned it could be backed by hostile foreign countries.
- Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the hack is a reminder that all big service companies are at risk from cyber threats.
Aeroflot’s Response
Aeroflot said its technical teams are working to fix the issue and restore normal operations. Affected passengers are being given options to rebook or get a refund.
Who Are the Hackers?
Silent Crow claims to have spent a year inside Aeroflot’s systems. They have also been linked to other cyberattacks on:
- Russia’s real estate databases
- A state telecom company
- An insurance firm
- The IT department of Moscow’s government
- The Russian office of KIA
The situation has raised serious concerns about Russia’s cyber security, especially for important companies and services.
