Fake nuclear attack alerts hit millions of Ukrainians and Russians on the same day
False warnings in Ukraine
Ukraine was hit first, just before midnight, when its air raid warning app sent a Ukrainian-language message warning of a radiation threat in Kyiv. A later message in Russian said a nuclear alert would cover Ukraine and referred to an Oreshnik missile.
Ukraine says app compromised
The Ukrainian air force’s Telegram channel later said there was no radiation threat and that the alert app had likely been compromised. The channel is routinely used by Ukrainians for warnings about air raids and drone threats.
In a post on X, the air force urged people to disregard unusual messages in the app. It said the alerts included a Russian-language message about Oreshnik.
Russia reports cyberattack
Russia experienced a similar incident in February 2023, when multiple radio stations began broadcasting fake air raid and missile alerts. At the time, Ukrainian attacks on Moscow were extremely rare.
Key points
- Both countries said their official alert systems were compromised on Sunday.
- Ukraine’s app warned of a radiation threat in Kyiv and a nuclear alert across the country.
- Ukraine’s air force said there was no radiation threat and urged users to ignore unusual alerts.
- Russia’s emergency ministry reported a cyberattack hours later.