Plane Crash Investigations Include Discussions about Potential Cyber Attacks and Kremlin Involvement - Following the mishaps, discussions about a potential cyberattack lie between hackers and the Russian government.
In recent weeks, Russia's state-owned airline Aeroflot has faced significant challenges due to a pro-Ukrainian cyberattack on its IT systems. The attack, primarily carried out by the Ukrainian hacker group Silent Crow in cooperation with Belarusian activists, has caused operational disruptions and financial losses[1][2].
The impact of the attack was substantial: - Over 100 flight cancellations, primarily domestic flights, with some international flights to Belarus, Armenia, and Uzbekistan also affected[2]. - Tens of millions of dollars in financial and operational losses[2]. - The theft and destruction of significant data, including customer data, internal communications, audio recordings of phone calls, and surveillance data on employees[2]. - The attackers claimed to have had access to Aeroflot’s corporate network for a year before launching the attack, indicating a large-scale breach[2]. - Thousands of passengers were stranded due to system outages and flight cancellations[3].
The Kremlin and Russian authorities acknowledged the cyberattack and launched a criminal investigation, with official statements highlighting the seriousness and alarming nature of the breach[2].
Strategically, the attack underscored the growing role of cyber warfare in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, marking Russian civilian infrastructure—like Aeroflot—as a new battlefield. Ukrainian cyber offensives are described as focused on causing tangible strategic impacts rather than propaganda, aiming to weaken Russia’s critical infrastructure and military-related civilian services[1].
At Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport, the disruptions were not limited to the cyberattack. In recent weeks, there have been frequent restrictions in Russian air traffic due to the threat of Ukrainian drone attacks[4]. This has led to over 60 flight cancellations at the airport[5].
Passengers hoping for vacation travel were advised to monitor flight information boards closely. The disruptions have resulted in hundreds of passengers having to retrieve their luggage and leave the airport[6].
Sources: [1] The Washington Post [2] Reuters [3] Interfax Agency [4] CNN [5] TASS News Agency [6] RT News
- In light of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the draft directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens in the workplace may need to address potential cybersecurity threats, as the recent cyberattack on Aeroflot has highlighted the vulnerability of civilian infrastructure to such attacks.
- This incident has raised concerns in the realm of politics and general news, as the use of technology in war-and-conflicts as a means of strategic attack has become increasingly common and, in this case, has extended to the civilian sector, impacting travel, finances, and privacy.
- As cyberattacks on civilian infrastructure have now become a matter of crime-and-justice, international bodies such as The Commission may need to be consulted more frequently to ensure appropriate protection measures are in place, particularly in sectors like aviation where disruptions can have severe consequences for people and businesses.
