Ukraine: Hackers Breach Emergency App and Send False Alerts

In depth

Ukraine's Air Force announced that the alert app serving the public against air strikes had been breached. Citizens received false messages on their mobile phones warning of a nuclear attack, chemical fire and street fighting in the capital, Kyiv. Local authorities hurried to calm the public and clarify that there was no radioactive threat.

In Ukraine, Russia was blamed for the attack. At the same time, Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations announced that its official app had been hit by a widespread cyberattack, after which false information was distributed to the public. According to Arutz Sheva, the ministry worked to restore the app to normal operation without giving further details.

Residents in Ukraine received false warnings telling them not to go outside. Moscow claimed a cyberattack also hit its own app, through which residents received messages about the launch of drones carrying nuclear warheads. Authorities in Kyiv said the app's operation was temporarily suspended and restored overnight.