Moscow: Russia has said its emergency warnings app was hit by a “massive cyberattack”, hours after Ukraine announced that its air raid alert app had been hacked.
Moscow’s Emergencies Ministry said on Telegram early Monday morning that the cyberattack had resulted in the spread of “false information” on the app, which warns users about incoming drone attacks. The ministry did not identify those responsible for the cyberattack.
Earlier on Sunday evening local time, the Ukrainian Air Force said users had received fake alerts warning of nuclear and chemical threats in areas in and around Kyiv, along with warnings of possible street combat.
An incorrect message also claimed that Russia’s hypersonic Oreshnik missile had been deployed.
“The air alert app appears to have been subjected to enemy influence,” the Ukrainian Air Force said on Telegram on Sunday. “There is no radiation threat! Stay calm and follow our updates on our channel.”
SPRAVDI, Ukraine’s Centre for Strategic Communications, blamed Russia for the hack in a post on X.
The air raid alert app is used across Ukraine to warn people in real time about incoming Russian air attacks. However, a separate app specifically designed for the Ukrainian capital continued to function normally, according to Kyiv authorities.
The announcements from Russia and Ukraine came after a truce between the two countries ended in a part of the Russian-occupied Kherson region.
The localised ceasefire, which began on Tuesday and ended on Sunday, was the longest of the war so far.
