Ukraine’s public air raid alert app was hacked, briefly displaying false warnings of nuclear and chemical threats across Kyiv and other regions, according to the country’s Air Force. The incident also included an erroneous alert claiming that Russia had deployed its hypersonic Oreshnik missile.
The false notifications appeared on Sunday and warned of potential nuclear and chemical attacks, as well as the threat of street combat. The abnormal messages later disappeared.
Ukraine’s Air Force confirmed the disruption through a statement on Telegram, saying the alert application appeared to have been subjected to hostile interference. It urged residents not to panic, clarified that there was no radiation threat and advised people to follow updates through official communication channels.
Ukraine Confirms Cyberattack on Alert Application
Ukraine’s Ministry for Digital Transformation said the application was not operational following the incident. However, other public warning systems remained functional, including conventional air raid sirens.
The disruption raised concerns about the reliability of digital emergency communication systems during the ongoing conflict. The app is used to notify residents about potential air attacks and other security threats, making its accuracy particularly important during emergencies.
Officials reassured the public that the false nuclear and chemical warnings did not indicate an actual radiation threat.
Russia’s Emergencies Ministry App Also Hit by Cyberattack
In a separate development, Russia’s emergencies ministry reported a major cyberattack targeting its mobile application.
According to a report by state news agency TASS, the ministry said the attack resulted in false information being circulated among users of the application.
The incident was reported early Monday, raising further concerns about cyber threats targeting public information and emergency communication platforms.
Link Between the Two Cyberattacks Unclear
It was not immediately clear whether the cyberattacks targeting the Ukrainian and Russian emergency applications were connected.
Both incidents involved the spread of false information through platforms intended to communicate important safety updates to the public.
The developments highlight how digital infrastructure has become another potential target amid the wider Russia-Ukraine conflict. For residents relying on emergency applications, accurate information from official authorities remains critical during security alerts.
Official Link: Ukrainian Government
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