On July 14, 2025, Novabev Group — Russia’s largest alcohol producer and importer, formerly known as Beluga Group — faced one of the most serious cyber incidents in its history. The attack disrupted parts of the company’s IT infrastructure, affecting both internal operations and the digital services of its retail chain VinLab, which operates more than 2,000 outlets nationwide.
According to reports, the hackers demanded a ransom, but the company refused to enter negotiations. A full investigation is underway with the support of external cybersecurity experts. Preliminary assessments indicate that no customer data leaks have been detected.
Novabev Group has retained control over its core operations. Still, the incident raises questions about the resilience of digital systems even among the industry’s largest players. In an era where IT infrastructure underpins not just back-office functions but large-scale consumer services, such attacks are becoming a reality not only for tech companies, but also for producers of physical goods.
Today, digital vulnerability is a reputational asset — and its cost can far exceed the price of any potential ransom.