Who hacked Russia's Aeroflot servers, grounding flights and causing mayhem - did a US-backed group sabotage the carrier?

Time of India

6 days ago

Pro-Ukraine hackers claim responsibility for shutdown
Compromised more than 7,000 servers
Gained access to confidential documents, including internal memos and flight records
Extracted sensitive customer and operations data
Destroyed core IT infrastructure to prevent recovery
Live Events
Russian authorities confirm cyberattack and launch criminal investigation
Passengers left without refunds or assistance amid chaos
Leave Sheremetyevo Airport to avoid overcrowding
to avoid overcrowding Contact Aeroflot's hotline or rebooking agents within the next 10 days
within the next 10 days Submit refund and rescheduling requests online or through their original purchase channels
Hacker group claims destruction of airline's core systems
Broader cybersecurity implications amid Russia-Ukraine conflict
Russia's civil aviation sector is now an open target
Hybrid warfare now includes digital attacks meant to destabilize civilian logistics
now includes digital attacks meant to destabilize civilian logistics International carriers may soon need to upgrade airline cybersecurity protocols
Aeroflot's ongoing crisis and uncertain recovery timeline
What travelers need to know moving forward
Check your flight status using alternate flight-tracking platforms
using alternate flight-tracking platforms Contact Aeroflot's helpline or customer portal for refunds or rebooking
or customer portal for refunds or rebooking Keep documentation such as tickets and receipts for refund eligibility
such as tickets and receipts for refund eligibility Avoid heading directly to the airport unless your flight is confirmed
Expect delays even after service resumes due to backlogged operations
Cyberattacks now pose a real threat to global air travel
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Russia's national airline, Aeroflot, faced major flight cancellations on Monday, July 28, 2025, after a sudden information systems failure crippled its internal operations. The disruption led to the cancellation of more than 40 domestic and regional flights, primarily from Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport, leaving hundreds of travelers stranded amid the busy summer travel season.According to reports, 42 to 49 flights were grounded, affecting destinations like Yekaterinburg, Kaliningrad, Grozny, Minsk, and Yerevan. Departure boards turned red as long queues formed, and passengers were advised to leave the airport due to system-wide shutdowns.Shortly after the breakdown, pro-Ukrainian hacker group Silent Crow, in collaboration with Belarusian cyber-activists Cyber Partisans BY, claimed responsibility for the attack. They announced the operation as part of a broader digital offensive against Russian infrastructure in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.In a bold statement, the group claimed they had been inside Aeroflot's internal network for over a year, during which they:These claims are still being independently investigated, but the scale of the alleged breach has raised serious concerns over Russia's cybersecurity vulnerabilities.The Russian Prosecutor General's Office confirmed the Aeroflot system failure was caused by unauthorized access. In response, officials opened a criminal case under the charge of illegal access to computer information systems. The probe is being handled by Russia's cybersecurity and intelligence agencies.Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov addressed the media, describing the cyber breach as 'deeply alarming' and warned that state-affiliated companies are increasingly becoming targets in cyberwarfare linked to geopolitical tensions.The system failure had a direct impact on Aeroflot's customer service platforms, including ticketing, boarding, and refund processing. Many passengers were told that ticket counters could not process cancellations or rebookings.Instead, travelers were instructed to:This left hundreds of frustrated passengers, many with children and luggage, scrambling to adjust their travel plans without any on-site support—highlighting Aeroflot's poor crisis management infrastructure.Silent Crow released a detailed explanation of the operation, alleging that they not only infiltrated but also destroyed Aeroflot's entire server infrastructure, including its SAP management systems, staff scheduling, and communications platforms.They also claimed the deletion of critical internal files and the encryption of backup systems, making data recovery nearly impossible. Screenshots shared by the hackers—though not yet authenticated—showed internal messages, flight manifests, and system logs as proof of the breach.Cybersecurity analysts say this may be one of the most damaging cyberattacks on a commercial airline in recent years.This attack is the latest in a growing list of cyber incidents targeting Russian digital infrastructure, often attributed to pro-Ukrainian digital resistance groups. Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, energy providers, rail services, government portals, and even banks in Russia have been targeted.Experts warn that:Cyberwarfare has become a new battlefield in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with major ripple effects on public safety, economic systems, and global travel.Aeroflot stated that technical specialists are working around the clock to restore operations but did not give a timeline for full recovery. Online services remained intermittently down as of late July 28.There has been no formal acknowledgment of the hacker claims by the airline, though internal investigations are reportedly underway. Data breach reports and internal sabotage are still being assessed.For now, travelers are advised to check Aeroflot's official channels and airport announcements for updates. Delays and possible rolling cancellations may continue over the next few days.If you were impacted by the Aeroflot cancellations, here's what to do:The Aeroflot incident underscores a new global reality: airlines are becoming high-value targets in geopolitical cyber conflicts. As travel rebounds post-pandemic, ensuring airline IT infrastructure is secure, redundant, and resilient is more critical than ever.This latest disruption adds urgency to the global push for better cybersecurity protocols across aviation networks, especially in regions impacted by military conflict.A cyberattack crippled Aeroflot's internal IT systems, causing over 40 flight cancellations.A pro-Ukraine hacker group named Silent Crow claimed responsibility for the Aeroflot cyberattack.