Aeroflot Suffers Widespread Flight Disruptions Amid Alleged Cyberattack
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Russia’s largest airline,Aeroflot,experienced significant operational disruptions on Monday,with dozens of flights canceled due to a failure in teh state-owned company’s IT systems.Reports widely suggest the incident was a cyberattack, with a Russian lawmaker and pro-Ukrainian hacker groups claiming responsibility.
Aeroflot attributed the cancellations, estimated at around 40 flights, to a “technical failure.” Sheremetyevo airport’s online departure board indicated numerous other flights were delayed, impacting travel across Russia and leaving passengers stranded. The affected routes primarily served domestic destinations, with some international flights to Minsk, belarus, and Yerevan, Armenia, also experiencing disruptions.
“The Damage Is Strategic”
Russian prosecutors have confirmed the disruption was caused by a hack and have initiated a criminal investigation. Lawmakers have also pointed to a cyberattack as the likely cause,with Anton Gorelkin,a russian parliamentarian,stating that Russia is under digital attack,potentially by hacktivists supported by “unfriendly states.”
Two pro-ukrainian hacker collectives, Silent Crow and Belarusian Cyberpartisans, have claimed responsibility for the attack. Silent crow stated on Telegram that its members had successfully copied Aeroflot’s entire database, including flight history, audio recordings, internal communications, and surveillance data. the group asserted that the restoration process could cost tens of millions of dollars and described the damage as “strategic.”
Silent Crow and Belarusian Cyberpartisans further claimed that the cyberattack was the culmination of a year-long operation that had deeply infiltrated aeroflot’s network. They alleged that the operation resulted in the destruction of 7,000 servers and gained control over the personal computers of Aeroflot employees,including senior management.
The incident highlights the increasing vulnerability of critical infrastructure to sophisticated cyber threats. State-sponsored or hacktivist attacks can have far-reaching consequences, impacting not only the targeted organization but also its customers and the broader economy. The alleged year-long operation suggests a meticulously planned and executed cyber campaign, underscoring the need for robust cybersecurity measures and international cooperation to combat such threats.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Aeroflot Cyberattack
- What caused the Aeroflot flight cancellations?
- Aeroflot cited a “technical failure,” but Russian prosecutors and hacker groups allege a cyberattack was the cause.
- Which flights were affected by the Aeroflot IT system failure?
- Dozens of flights were canceled or delayed, primarily on domestic routes within Russia, and also some international routes to Minsk and Yerevan.
- Who is claiming responsibility for the Aeroflot cyberattack?
- Pro-Ukrainian hacker groups Silent Crow and Belarusian Cyberpartisans have claimed responsibility for the incident.
- What kind of damage did the hackers claim to inflict on Aeroflot?
- The hackers claimed to have copied Aeroflot’s entire database, destroyed 7,000 servers, and gained control of employee personal computers, calling the damage “strategic.”
- What is the estimated cost of restoring Aeroflot’s systems?
- One of the hacker groups claimed that restoration could cost tens of millions of dollars.
- Has Aeroflot commented on the cyberattack allegations?
- Aeroflot officially stated the cancellations were due to a “technical failure,” but did not directly address the cyberattack claims.
