Cyber Attacks Disrupt Emergency Alert Apps in Ukraine and Russia

Emergency alert apps used by civilians in Ukraine and Russia were hacked on Sunday night, misleading citizens with false warnings. In Ukraine, at 10:47 p.m. local time, the Air Alert app, supported by the Ministry of Digital Transformation, sent incorrect notifications about radiation and chemical threats, as well as a nuclear strike and street combat in Kyiv.

The app is vital for many Ukrainians to determine if they need to seek shelter from military attacks. However, many rely on Telegram for specific updates from the country’s Air Force regarding threats. The Air Force assured users at 11:02 p.m. that these warnings were false, addressing the hostile interference on platforms like Telegram and advising the public to stay informed through official channels.

A smartphone in Kyiv showed notifications from the hacked app, affecting millions.

People in Kyiv told CBS News they quickly identified the alerts as fake by consulting Telegram channels.

Later, Russia experienced a similar issue. At 2:45 a.m. in Moscow, the Emergencies Ministry app also fell victim to a hack. It sent false alerts about “nuclear warheads” to 33 regions and recommended stocking up food and seeking shelter. Russian media, tightly controlled by the state, reported the event.

The ministry explained that a security flaw in the app’s administrative panel was the exploit point, leading to the isolation of affected services. In contrast, Ukraine’s Air Alert app developers reported unauthorized interference, stopping push notifications temporarily.

Yurii Ihnat, a spokesman for Ukraine’s Air Force, stated the breach did not compromise Ukraine’s security operations, noting the app is not linked to military command systems.

The attacks coincided with the expiration of a temporary ceasefire at 10:59 p.m. Ukraine time around Oleshky. This truce, facilitated by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump and Pope Leo, started on October 27, permitting humanitarian relief and some civilian evacuations. Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s human rights commissioner, confirmed both sides honored the truce and discussions continued for further humanitarian efforts.