Archive — US — techcrunch
Flights grounded as Russia’s largest airline Aeroflot hacked and systems‘destroyed’
Aeroflot, Russia's largest airline, grounded flights after a cyberattack by pro-Ukrainian hackers, Silent Crow, who claimed to have taken control of critical systems and destroyed data. Over 60 flights were canceled due to this incident, with Aeroflot's website also rendered unavailable.
Key points
- Aeroflot experienced a cyberattack, leading to the grounding of flights across Russia.
- The hacker group Silent Crow claimed responsibility, along with Belarusian hackers.
- They cited Russia's occupation of Ukraine as their motive for the attack.
- The hackers accessed and reportedly destroyed critical internal systems of Aeroflot.
- As a result, over 60 flights were canceled, and the airline's website was inaccessible.
Why it matters
- This attack highlights ongoing cyber warfare related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- As of 2025, cyberattacks have become a prominent method of geopolitical confrontation, impacting critical infrastructure.
- The incident is indicative of broader cybersecurity vulnerabilities faced by important companies and national infrastructure.
The cyberattack on Aeroflot underscores the increasing threat of state-sponsored hacking, particularly amidst geopolitical tensions, impacting not only air travel but also highlighting vulnerabilities within critical sectors.