Post by : Anis Farhan

Photo: Rueters

Russia’s national airline Aeroflot was forced to cancel and delay dozens of domestic and international flights on Monday after a large-scale cyberattack crippled its digital infrastructure. The disruption came following a claim by a pro-Ukrainian hacker group that they had executed the attack in retaliation for Russia’s ongoing military activities in Ukraine.

The hacking group, which identifies itself as “BO Team,” posted on Telegram that they had compromised key backend systems of Aeroflot, leading to a massive blackout of operational platforms, including ticketing, scheduling, and baggage tracking. The group also shared alleged screenshots of Aeroflot’s internal systems, suggesting full access to backend servers.

Aeroflot confirmed the incident but stopped short of attributing it directly to any nation or group. In a brief statement, the airline acknowledged “technical difficulties affecting digital operations,” resulting in flight delays and cancellations across multiple airports, including Moscow’s Sheremetyevo and St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo.

Russian cyber defense agencies were immediately deployed to assess the breach, while Aeroflot technicians worked around the clock to restore basic services. As of Monday evening, at least 52 flights had been canceled and more than 80 were delayed, impacting thousands of passengers across the country and abroad.

The cyberattack comes at a time when Russia is already under severe scrutiny for its digital vulnerabilities, especially with the increasing frequency of anti-state cyber operations believed to be orchestrated from Ukrainian or Western-aligned entities. Experts say the Aeroflot breach is the latest in a series of retaliatory digital strikes aimed at destabilizing key sectors of the Russian economy.

This incident has also rekindled debates within Russia about overreliance on legacy IT infrastructure and centralized systems. Industry analysts have long warned that many Russian airlines, including Aeroflot, depend on outdated systems vulnerable to sophisticated cyber tactics.

International cybersecurity watchdogs are closely monitoring the situation, with several Western security firms validating the authenticity of the hacker group’s claims. However, due to geopolitical sensitivities, no official international response has been issued yet.

Meanwhile, Aeroflot passengers have expressed frustration over inadequate communication, with many stuck at airports with limited information or support. Several social media videos showed long queues, confused travelers, and handwritten boarding passes being issued—a scene reminiscent of pre-digital aviation.

This breach marks one of the most significant aviation-related cyberattacks in the post-pandemic period, with aviation regulators worldwide likely to reevaluate their cybersecurity frameworks in response. Although no passenger data breach has been confirmed so far, Aeroflot has stated that a full forensic audit is underway to assess the scope and impact of the attack.

The Russian Ministry of Transport stated it was coordinating with national cybersecurity agencies and Aeroflot management to ensure quick restoration of operations and prevent further breaches. However, experts warn that the airline’s digital vulnerabilities may take weeks to fully secure.

For now, the incident raises urgent questions about the broader implications of cyber warfare on civilian infrastructure, especially aviation, where system reliability is non-negotiable. As the Russia-Ukraine digital proxy conflict intensifies, such cyberattacks could become more frequent, targeting airlines, railways, banking, and communications systems.

Disclaimer

This news article is published by Newsible Asia for general informational purposes only. The report is based on credible international news sources and verified public data. Newsible Asia does not endorse or verify claims made by unnamed hacking groups. Readers should remain aware of the rapidly evolving nature of cybersecurity events and stay updated through official airline communications.