Ukrainian air raid alert app sent erroneous warnings, Ukrainian officials say, alleging a hack by Russia, while a Russian emergency ministry confirmed a massive cyberattack that spread false information.
Ukrainian Air Force said on Telegram that fake alerts warned of nuclear and chemical threats in and around Kyiv, and claimed the hypersonic Oreshnik missile had been deployed.
There is no radiation threat! Stay calm and follow our updates on our channel.
SPRAVDI, Ukraine’s Centre for Strategic Communications, posted on X blaming Russia for the alleged hacking of the app.
The air alert app is used nationwide to warn people in real time of incoming Russian air attacks; a separate app for the Ukrainian capital was said to have been working normally.
Hours later, early on Monday morning, Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said its mobile app had been hit by a "massive cyberattack" that had led to the spread of "false information".
The incident came after a localised ceasefire in Kherson ended on Sunday, the longest truce in the war to date; the ceasefire had begun on Tuesday and closed as the false alerts were issued.
Both sides’ announcements underscore the ongoing cyber and informational warfare that rides alongside the physical conflict in Ukraine.
