Nuclear scare, fake radiation warnings: Cyberattacks hit Russia, Ukraine alert systems

Cyberattacks hit Ukraine, Russia emergency alert systems; fake threat warnings trigger alarm (Representative AI image)

Ukraine and Russia have reported cyberattacks targeting their emergency alert systems, with hackers allegedly circulating fake warnings of radiation, chemical and nuclear threats, raising concerns over the disruption of public safety communications amid the ongoing war between the two countries.Ukraine's air raid alert application was reportedly compromised on Sunday, sending false warnings about chemical and radiation threats to mobile phones across the country. Loudspeaker systems in Kyiv also broadcast similar messages, prompting the Ukrainian Air Force to warn of possible external interference."Attention. The Air Alert app has likely been compromised," the Air Force said on Telegram, adding that, "There is no radiation threat! Stay calm and follow our updates on our channel!"Ukraine's Central Intelligence Agency also reported a failure in the application and urged residents to consult alternative sources of information to verify warnings about possible air strikes.Also Read:'Maximum deterrence': Mojtaba Khamenei meets top generals, issues warning to USHowever, the Ministry of Digital Transformation later said the nationwide alert system was functioning normally."The nationwide alert system is operating in normal mode. All threat signals are transmitted to regional administrations and, accordingly, to street alert systems," the ministry said in a post on X.Meanwhile, Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations said its mobile application had been targeted in a massive cyberattack that enabled attackers to distribute false public safety information.

Russian authorities also reported fake warnings about nuclear strikes inside the country, with a Ukrainian espionage group reportedly suspected of involvement."The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations' mobile app was subjected to a massive cyberattack, which allowed the attackers to distribute fake information to the public," the ministry said in a statement.According to TASS, the ministry said efforts were underway to eliminate the vulnerability in the application and restore its normal functioning.The incidents come amid continuing military operations and diplomatic efforts surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The false alerts in Ukraine were reportedly circulated shortly before the end of a localised ceasefire in the Oleshky area of Ukraine's Kherson region.On Sunday, US First Lady Melania Trump commended Moscow and Kyiv for their cooperation during the five-day humanitarian ceasefire, which concluded on November 1.

She said the arrangement had facilitated the delivery of critical humanitarian assistance and enabled the evacuation of nearly 800 people.Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for an energy ceasefire, urging US President Donald Trump to consider the conflict's impact on global energy prices."If the American president thinks that this war has influence on the prices, so he can ask energy ceasefire," Zelenskyy told Fox News.