Hacked alert systems in Ukraine and Russia broadcast false nuclear warnings
Cyberattacks on emergency apps in both countries sent contradictory messages about radiation and missile strikes hours after a US-brokered ceasefire expired.
By Kwame Silva ·
Emergency alert applications in both Ukraine and Russia were hacked overnight, transmitting false warnings to citizens regarding air raids, chemical attacks, and nuclear strikes.
The cyber incidents occurred simultaneously with the expiration of a six-day local ceasefire in southern Ukraine. US First Lady Melania Trump had brokered this pause, which represented the longest cessation of fighting since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
Ukraine's public air raid app began issuing false alerts just before 11 p.m. on Sunday local time, corresponding to 2100 GMT. The warnings targeted the capital, Kyiv, and other regions, citing risks of radiation, chemical attacks, and street combat.
One specific alarm claimed that Russia had launched a hypersonic Oreshnik missile, a weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The alert declared a state of nuclear emergency. Ukrainian air force officials later stated on the Telegram messaging app that the system appeared to have been compromised by Russian hackers. They noted that the alerts were broadcast in Russian, a language not mandatory for official Ukrainian communications.
"The air alert app appears to have been subjected to enemy influence," the air force said in a statement. "There is no radiation threat! Stay calm and follow our updates on our channel!"
Hours after the Ukrainian alerts, the Russian Emergencies Ministry in Moscow confirmed its own mobile app had suffered a cyberattack. State news agency TASS reported that fake public warnings had been transmitted through the system. The ministry described the app as a supplementary source of information rather than a primary warning channel.
A pro-Ukrainian hacking group named Atesh posted a screenshot of the Russian alert on its Telegram channel early Monday morning. The group claimed the Ministry of Emergency Situations app had been hacked. The fake message, which included colloquialisms and profanity, told residents that nuclear warheads had been launched against all Russian regions. It advised people to stockpile three weeks of food and shelter in cellars.
Ukraine's Ministry for Digital Transformation suspended the app temporarily after sending all-clear messages. It confirmed that other alerting mechanisms, including air raid sirens, remained functional. The country is currently experiencing a shortage of air defense systems, specifically US-made Patriot interceptors.
The United States announced a $2.1 billion deal on Friday to supply 500 Patriot interceptors to Ukraine. However, two individuals briefed on the decision indicated that the missiles could take years to arrive. This logistical delay leaves the country dependent on existing defenses while navigating the aftermath of the cyber incident.
Residents in Kyiv largely downplayed the impact of the hack. Artem Pyndyk, a 37-year-old businessman, said he was briefly surprised by the messages but quickly realized the system had been compromised. "This didn't trigger the kind of reaction in society that they expected," Pyndyk said. He noted that while the hackers gained access, the public did not panic.
Oksana Vostrykova, a 48-year-old pizzeria employee, also dismissed the incident. "I am calm about it, I kind of immediately understood that it might be a false message," she said. Vostrykova added that her main concern was not for herself, but for her children who were nearby. Russian experts are currently working to restore the ministry's app to normal operation, asking the public to trust only official websites and social media accounts.
