Emergency alert apps hacked in Russia and Ukraine, sending false warnings of nuclear threats
The mobile app of Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry was hit by a cyberattack, and its users received notifications claiming “nuclear warheads” had been launched “across all regions” of the country.
The ministry confirmed the hack, saying “hackers managed to send fake information to the public.” It added that the cyberattack did not affect the operation of the public alert system.
In Ukraine, meanwhile, hackers breached the official “Air Alert” app, which displayed notifications about radiation and chemical danger and the threat of street fighting, along with a message in Russian: “Hi! There will be a nuclear alert across all of Ukraine right now! Don’t worry, the Oreshnik is coming!”
Ukraine’s Air Force warned that the app had likely been hacked and added that there was no radiation threat.
The app itself also reported that “outside individuals carried out unauthorized interference” with its operation. Notifications were temporarily disabled.
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