Russia’s flag carrier airline, Aeroflot, has fallen victim to a major cyberattack. Due to the breach of the airline’s digital systems, more than 50 flights were cancelled and tens of thousands of passengers were left stranded at airports. The chaos was especially intense at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport, where some passengers were forced to sleep on escalators and voiced their frustration on social media.
Following the cyberattack on Aeroflot’s digital infrastructure, not only were domestic flights affected, but international flights to destinations such as Minsk and Yerevan were also cancelled. At least 10 flights were delayed, leaving passengers waiting for long hours. The airline announced that tickets could be refunded or transferred to other flights within 10 days.
A cyber activist group called “Silent Crow” claimed responsibility for the attack. The group stated that it had acted in cooperation with the Belarusian group “Cyberpartisans BY,” declaring in their message: “Victory to Ukraine! Long live Belarus!”
The Kremlin described the incident as “alarming,” and the Russian Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that it was a case of cyber piracy, launching a criminal investigation. While the effects of the attack continue, passengers are still expressing their frustration online due to a lack of information.
