In a dramatic escalation of cyber warfare, Aeroflot, Russia's national airline, has been thrown into chaos as the pro-Ukrainian hacking group Silent Crow openly claims responsibility for a cyber-attack that severely impacted its IT systems. Assisted by the Belarusian group Cyberpartisans, Silent Crow announced via Telegram that their extensive operation had "completely destroyed" Aeroflot's infrastructure, leading to the cancellation of over 40 flights, primarily within Russia, as well as disruptions on routes to Belarus and Armenia.
With the Kremlin expressing concern over the matter, Aeroflot acknowledged significant delays caused by the attack. In a bold statement, Silent Crow promised to leak the personal data of all Russians who have ever flown with the airline, proclaiming “Glory to Ukraine! Long live Belarus!” at the end of their post.
Cyberpartisans also reiterated their role in the cyber strike, emphasizing their commitment to support Ukrainians against what they describe as an occupier's regime. Russian lawmakers responded with concern, highlighting the ongoing digital battle as a critical front in the broader conflict.
While such hacking groups typically exaggerate their triumphs, the Russian prosecutor's office confirmed that an actual malfunction occurred in Aeroflot's information systems, prompting a criminal investigation. The actual impact remains uncertain as the extent of disruption can fluctuate and be hard to verify.
Despite the busy digital battlefield, what sets this attack apart is its immediate visible impact on routine airline operations, affecting thousands of travelers. Silent Crow's collaboration with Cyberpartisans, who have an established record of targeting Russian and Belarusian entities since 2022, signifies an ongoing trend of organized hacktivism amid the geopolitical tensions born from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
