Fake nuclear warning from hacked app sparks unease but not panic in Ukraine

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1. 48m ago

   Fake nuclear warning from hacked app sparks unease but not panic in Ukraine

   Hackers breached Ukraine's Air Alert app and Russia's Emergency Ministry app, sending false nuclear and chemical attack warnings to civilians in both countries overnight Sunday into Monday. Ukrainian and Russian authorities confirmed the cyberattacks, which exploited vulnerabilities in the emergency alert systems. Many Ukrainians dismissed the messages as fake given their experience with Russian attacks, and panic did not spread despite the alarming content.

   Why it matters

   The attacks occurred amid ongoing Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022, which has made many residents familiar with air raid sirens and emergency alerts. Ukraine's military and civilian infrastructure has faced repeated cyberattacks throughout the war. The hackers demonstrated ability to penetrate government digital systems in both countries.

   What is confirmed

   • Ukrainian air force says public air raid alert app sent erroneous alerts after being hacked
   • Emergency warning apps in Russia and Ukraine were hacked overnight Sunday into Monday, according to authorities in both countries
   • Ukraine's Air Alert app and Russia's Emergency Ministry app were hacked to send fake nuclear, chemical and missile warnings, though national alert systems held
   • Hackers sent fake alerts about a nuclear apocalypse in Kyiv after breaching government apps
   • Many Ukrainians, who have faced years of Russian attacks, did not take the messages seriously and doubted their veracity
   • Zelenskyy confirms Ukraine hacked back after Russia's cyberattack of its emergency alert system

   Still unconfirmed

   • It's not clear whether the hacking of the apps is linked between Russia and Ukraine
   • Hackers breached The Kyiv Independent's website and newsletter service, emailing subscribers false claims of a nuclear strike, in a suspected Russian attack

   What to watch next

   • Confirmation of Ukraine's cyber counter-offensive details and effectiveness
   • Investigation into attack vectors and perpetrators behind both breaches
   • Assessment of damage to emergency communication infrastructure and remediation plans
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. www.bbc.com — BBC Home - Breaking News, World News, US News, Sports, Business...
   2. Reuters — Ukrainian air force says public air raid alert app sent erroneous alerts after being hacked
   3. CNN — Fake warnings of nuclear attack posted on hacked Russian and Ukrainian emergency apps
   4. CNBC — Fake nuclear warnings in Ukraine as Moscow, Kyiv report separate cyberattacks on emergency apps
   5. WSJ — Cyberattacks Hit Ukraine’s and Russia’s Emergency Alert Apps
   6. upi — Russians told 'nuclear attack underway' after hackers hijack government app
   7. The Washington Post — Ukrainian and Russian emergency alert apps send false warnings after hacks
   8. BBC — Fake nuclear warning from hacked app sparks unease but not panic in Ukraine
   9. PBS — WATCH: Zelenskyy confirms Ukraine hacked back after Russia's cyberattack of its emergency alert system
   10. www.cbsnews.com — Ukraine and Russia's emergency alert apps both hacked, residents warned of fake nuclear, chemical strikes
   11. The Guardian — In Kyiv, hackers sent fake alerts about a nuclear apocalypse. We hardly noticed | Diana Berg
   12. The Kyiv Independent — Kyiv Independent hit by suspected Russian cyberattack
   confidence 85%