Cyberattacks Shut Hundreds Russian Pharmacies Nationwide

A coordinated wave of cyberattacks has forced the shutdown of hundreds of pharmacies across Russia, significantly disrupting operations for major chains such as Stolichki, Neopharm, Rigla, A5, and ASNA. These attacks disabled critical IT infrastructures including payment systems, inventory databases, and online services, leaving many customers unable to access prescriptions or medication reservations. Stolichki, with over 1,000 locations, and Neopharm, with more than 110 stores, were among the most affected, leading to widespread closures and staff dismissals. Russian authorities, including the Ministry of Digital Development, FSB, and Roskomnadzor, are investigating the incidents, which are suspected to involve ransomware but have not yet resulted in public ransom demands. While no group has officially claimed responsibility, pro-Ukrainian hacker collectives have recently targeted other Russian entities like Aeroflot and Gazprom, suggesting possible geopolitical motives behind these attacks. Cybersecurity experts warn that targeting pharmacies is a high-impact move affecting public health and consumer confidence amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.