Ukrainian Cyber Strike Obliterates Russian Drone Factory—47TB of Secrets Erased

Gaskar Group, a key supplier of drones to the Russian military, suffers a paralyzing cyberattack reportedly orchestrated by Ukraine’s military intelligence and cyber volunteers, disabling production systems and destroying 47 terabytes of data.

Kyiv, Ukraine — July 18, 2025
In a bold digital strike against Russia’s war machine, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) has reportedly “paralyzed” Gaskar Group, one of the Russian military’s largest drone suppliers, a source told the Kyiv Independent on July 15.

The sophisticated cyberattack, carried out in coordination with a network of Ukrainian cyber volunteers, targeted Gaskar’s internal infrastructure, including its production servers, internet services, and accounting systems. According to a HUR source, the attack resulted in the total destruction of over 47 terabytes of sensitive technical documentation relating to the production and deployment of Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

“This was a strategic digital strike—not just sabotage,” said the source. “We penetrated their internal systems, erased key schematics, and shut down operational control for the foreseeable future.”

The attack dealt a significant blow to Gaskar’s development center, effectively halting its ability to support drone production lines that are integral to Russian military operations in Ukraine and beyond. Cybersecurity analysts say this incident marks one of the most impactful cyber offensives of the war to date.

Disabling a Critical Node in Russia’s Military-Industrial Chain
Founded in 2012, Gaskar Group has emerged as a vital contractor for Russia’s UAV programs. Its drones are widely believed to support both reconnaissance and combat missions in Ukraine. The company’s rapid expansion during the war, combined with its close ties to Russia’s defense ministry, made it a high-value target for Ukraine’s cyber and military intelligence units.

“This is not just a symbolic win,” said Nataliia Tkachuk, head of Ukraine’s National Coordination Center for Cybersecurity. “Disrupting production capabilities at this level delays battlefield deployments and reduces the lethality of enemy drone operations.”

A Broader Digital Front
Ukraine’s cyber forces have increasingly relied on offensive operations to offset battlefield disadvantages, with several attacks previously targeting Russia’s energy, transport, and military infrastructure. This latest operation underscores Kyiv’s evolving digital doctrine: precision hacking aligned with intelligence and battlefield needs.

International observers warn, however, that escalating cyberattacks could provoke retaliatory strikes, raising the stakes in the conflict’s digital dimension.

“Cyberwarfare is no longer a shadow conflict—it’s part of the main theater,” said Jamie Collier, cyber threat intelligence expert at Mandiant. “What Ukraine has demonstrated is the growing role of information operations and digital disruption in 21st-century warfare.”

Implications Beyond the Battlefield
The human and strategic impact of such operations is profound. With the war grinding on and conventional supply lines strained by sanctions and losses, any delay in weapons manufacturing—including drones—can mean fewer attacks on civilian targets and Ukrainian positions.

Meanwhile, morale among Ukraine’s defenders and civilian population receives a psychological boost from news of successful disruptions to Russian capabilities.

A Warning Shot in the Cyber Cold War
As the global cybersecurity community watches closely, the Gaskar breach may serve as a case study in asymmetric warfare—where code and keystrokes can rival missiles and drones in strategic value.

“The line between cyber and kinetic warfare has blurred,” said Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation. “This operation proves we are not only defending ourselves but reshaping the nature of modern conflict.”