Ukraine Air Raid App Hacked With False Nuclear Alerts

Clear Facts

• Ukraine’s official air-raid alert app issued false radiation and chemical attack warnings in Kyiv on Sunday.
• Ukraine’s Air Force confirmed the system was hacked and stated there was no actual radiation threat.
• Russia’s Emergencies Ministry separately reported its own mobile application was hit by a massive cyberattack.

Ukraine officials said the country’s official air-raid alert app was likely hacked after emergency alerts warned on Sunday that there was a “radiation hazard” and a “chemical attack alert” in Kyiv. The false warnings urged residents not to go outside.

“There is a radiation hazard alert in Kyiv. Do not go outside!” read one alert.

“There is a chemical attack alert in Kyiv. Do not go outside!” another one read.

The public air alert online map also displayed Kyiv and other areas as under a nuclear alert. The app also issued false warnings about Russia’s hypersonic Oreshnik missile and alleged street fighting in Kyiv. Additionally, loudspeakers in the streets blasted a recorded message instructing people to take precautions.

But Ukraine’s Air Force said its air alert app was hacked and that there was no radiation hazard to be concerned about.

“The air alert app appears to have been subjected to enemy influence. There is no radiation threat! Stay calm and follow our updates on our channel!” the Ukrainian Air Force said in a statement posted to Telegram.

Ukraine’s Center for Strategic Communications blamed Russia for the incident, although no group had publicly claimed responsibility.

Separately, Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said early Monday that its mobile application had been hit by a “massive cyberattack” that allowed attackers to send false information to the public.

“Attention! The mobile application of the Ministry of Emergencies of Russia has been subjected to a massive cyberattack, enabling attackers to send false information to the public,” the ministry said on Telegram.

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