Ukraine and Russia air raid apps hacked to send fake radiation alerts

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Russia and Ukraine Emergency Apps Hacked to Send Fake Nuclear Alerts

   Cyberattacks targeted emergency alert systems in Russia and Ukraine within hours of each other, sending false notifications of nuclear, chemical, and street fighting threats to civilians. The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed its air raid app was hacked, while TASS reported a cyberattack on the Russian emergencies ministry mobile app. These breaches caused widespread panic by triggering erroneous radiation and attack warnings. Additionally, hackers breached the mailing list and CMS of The Kyiv Independent to send fake messages to subscribers that mirrored the air-raid app incident.

   Why it matters

   Emergency alert apps are critical for civilian safety during the ongoing conflict. Compromising these systems allows attackers to spread disinformation and cause mass panic. The timing of the simultaneous attacks suggests a coordinated effort to destabilize public trust in official warning channels.

   What is confirmed

   • The Ukrainian Air Force stated that the public air raid alert app was hacked and sent erroneous alerts.
   • The Russian emergencies ministry mobile app was hit by a cyberattack.
   • False warnings of nuclear and chemical attacks were sent to users of both systems.
   • The hacks on the Ukrainian and Russian systems occurred within hours of each other.
   • Hackers gained access to the CMS and mailing list of The Kyiv Independent.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The hack of the Ukrainian Air Alert app was a Russian operation.

   What to watch next

   • Official attribution of the attacks to specific state or non-state actors.
   • Technical reports on the vulnerability used to breach both emergency systems.
   • Details on whether any other government communication channels were compromised.
   Sources used for this update (17)

   1. BBC — Ukraine air raid app apparently hacked as users receive false radiation threat, Air Force says
   2. Reuters — Ukrainian air force says public air raid alert app sent erroneous alerts after being hacked
   3. The Guardian — Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv says air raid warning app likely hacked after users receive false alerts
   4. BBC — Russia says emergency alert app under cyber-attack after apparent hack on Ukraine's warning system
   5. Reuters — Russian emergencies ministry's mobile app hit by cyberattack, TASS says
   6. The Telegraph — Ukrainians sent false nuclear attack warning in suspected Russian hack
   7. Bloomberg — Ukraine and Russia Report Cyberattacks on Emergency Alert Apps
   8. Al Jazeera — Nuclear radiation in Russia, Ukraine? No, just hacked warning alerts
   9. The Hill — Ukraine and Russia both report cyberattacks on emergency apps
   10. NBC News — Fake alerts warn of nuclear danger as Ukraine and Russia report emergency app hacks
   11. BBC — Ukraine and Russia say emergency alert apps hit by cyber-attacks - follow live
   12. CNN — Fake warnings of nuclear attack posted on hacked Russian and Ukrainian emergency apps
   confidence 95%