Germany has accused Russia of carrying out a cyber-attack that briefly disrupted parts of its air traffic control network, raising fresh concerns about Moscow’s growing digital interference across Europe. The incident, which occurred earlier this week, did not lead to accidents or major flight cancellations, but authorities say it exposed vulnerabilities in essential aviation infrastructure.
According to German officials, the attack targeted internal communication channels used by air traffic controllers, causing temporary delays and forcing technicians to activate backup systems. While operations were restored within hours, investigators have traced the breach to actors believed to be linked to the Russian state.
Berlin condemned the intrusion as a deliberate attempt to destabilize critical services. Government representatives warned that such actions threaten public safety and violate international norms, especially at a time when tensions with Moscow remain high over the war in Ukraine.
Aviation authorities said they are working with cybersecurity experts to strengthen digital defenses and prevent similar incidents in the future. German intelligence agencies have reported an uptick in cyber-operations attributed to Russia, ranging from attacks on public institutions to attempts to infiltrate infrastructure networks.
Moscow has denied involvement, calling the allegations “unfounded,” but German officials insist the evidence points clearly toward Russia and say they will raise the issue with EU partners and NATO allies.
For now, flights across Germany have returned to normal, but the episode has sparked renewed debate about the resilience of Europe’s aviation systems — and the growing risks posed by state-backed cyber warfare.