Both Ukraine and Russia have reported that their official emergency alert applications were targeted and disrupted by cyber-attacks, resulting in the dissemination of false and alarming warnings to users.
In Ukraine, the disruptions began late Sunday when the country's air raid alert app—which is supported by the Ministry of Digital Transformation—suddenly pushed out unverified notifications warning of a "radiation threat," a "chemical threat," and "street fighting" in Kyiv, alongside a message referencing a Russian Oreshnik missile. The Ukrainian Air Force and Central Intelligence Agency quickly intervened to clarify that the warnings were false, blaming Russian interference and urging citizens to rely on alternative verification channels.
Hours later, Russia's emergencies ministry acknowledged that its own public alert system had also been struck by a "massive cyber-attack," causing users to receive emails and notifications featuring fake information. While a Ukrainian espionage group reportedly claimed responsibility for sending fake nuclear strike warnings inside Russia, Moscow has not yet formally attributed the breach to a specific actor. Officials from both nations noted that it remains unclear whether the two cyber incidents are directly connected.
Despite the unsettling nature of the false warnings—which included brief alerts of radiation and chemical dangers in the Ukrainian capital—officials noted that the hacks did not cause widespread panic, as residents are largely accustomed to navigating digital disruptions amid the ongoing conflict. Russian authorities subsequently downplayed the impact on their end, stating that their mobile app serves merely as an ancillary service and that primary public warning channels, such as sirens and loudspeakers, continued to function normally.
