Pro-Ukrainian Hackers Disrupt Aeroflot Operations Amid Ongoing Conflict

Wed Oct 22 2025 10:58:46 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The hacker group Silent Crow claims responsibility for a cyber-attack on Aeroflot, resulting in significant flight cancellations and delays across Russia.

Aeroflot faces disruption after pro-Ukrainian hackers claim they compromised the airline's IT systems, leading to operational failures and cancellations. While the extent of the attack's lasting impact is uncertain, it highlights the cyber warfare aspect of the ongoing conflict.

Aeroflot, Russia's flagship airline, has reported the cancellation of over 40 flights after the pro-Ukrainian hacker group, Silent Crow, claimed responsibility for a cyber-attack targeting the airline's IT infrastructure. The group, alongside the Belarusian collective Cyberpartisans, announced the attack via Telegram, stating that their efforts aimed to “completely destroy” the airline's systems.

Following the incident, Aeroflot experienced significant delays and disruptions to flights mainly within Russia, as well as routes to neighboring countries such as Belarus and Armenia. The Kremlin expressed concern over the situation, highlighting the broader implications of cyber warfare in the ongoing conflict.

Silent Crow further threatened to release personal data of all individuals who have flown with Aeroflot, adding to the airline’s crisis. The Belarusian faction, Cyberpartisans, confirmed their involvement, proclaiming their aim to aid Ukrainians against Russian occupation by attacking a major Russian airline.

In response to the attack, Russian MP Anton Gorelkin emphasized the importance of recognizing that the conflict against Russia extends into the digital realm. Although the Russian prosecutor's office acknowledged a disruption in Aeroflot's information systems due to a hacker attack, the BBC noted the difficulties in verifying the hackers' claims, as such groups often exaggerate their capabilities.

Despite the potential for this incident to affect the morale of Russian citizens, it also illustrates the complexities of cyber warfare, with groups often comprising volunteers who claim success over enemy targets. Silent Crow's collaboration with Cyberpartisans marks another significant development in the ongoing hostilities since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, which has frequently resulted in travel disruptions for passengers in Russia.

This latest cyber-attack serves as a reminder of the interconnected nature of warfare today, where digital battles impact not only military outcomes but also civilian lives and major corporations.