Cyberattacks Target Emergency Alert Apps in Russia and Ukraine, Spreading Fake Warnings

Emergency alert mobile applications in Russia and Ukraine have been hit by major cyberattacks, resulting in the spread of false information and alarming warnings that have caused public concern in both countries.

The BBC reported that alerts warning of possible nuclear and chemical attacks appeared in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, and several other areas. Meanwhile, Russia's emergency alert app also disseminated false information to members of the public.

On Sunday, Ukraine's Air Force announced that the country's air raid alert application had been hacked. For a period of time, the app displayed warnings about possible nuclear and chemical attacks in Kyiv and other locations.

It also issued warnings about street clashes and circulated a false message claiming that Russia had deployed its Oreshnik hypersonic missile.

In a statement posted on Telegram, Ukraine's Air Force said the app appeared to have been targeted as part of an enemy influence operation.

However, it stressed that there was no threat of a radioactive attack in the country and urged people not to panic but to rely on information from official channels.

The abnormal alerts were subsequently removed from the application.

Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation announced that the app had been temporarily suspended. However, other public warning systems, including air raid sirens, remained operational.

A few hours later, on Monday, Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations announced that its mobile application had also suffered a major cyberattack.

Citing Russia's state news agency TASS, Reuters reported that the attack had resulted in false information being circulated among members of the public.

Russian authorities said efforts were underway to restore the application's functionality. However, Moscow did not immediately identify those responsible for the attack.

According to Al Jazeera, Ukraine's Centre for Strategic Communications blamed Russia for the cyberattack on its emergency alert application.

However, Moscow has not publicly accused Ukraine of being behind the attack on Russia's own emergency alert app.