False alarm spreads panic in Ukraine and Russia as warning apps hacked

Authorities in Kyiv and Moscow reported that the respective apps were likely hacked. The initial incident occurred late Sunday evening when the Ukrainian “Air Alert” app falsely warned of radioactive contamination in the capital, Kyiv.

The Ukrainian Air Force stated on Telegram that the app may have been compromised by the enemy and assured the public that there was no radiation danger. Screenshots circulating online showed warnings of a nuclear attack using the Russian Oreschnik medium-range rocket.

Early Monday morning, Russia reported a massive cyberattack on its own warning app, according to the state news agency Tass, citing the Civil Defense Ministry. Attackers successfully disseminated false information to the population, the ministry said. Russian media displayed screenshots of the app from various regions, indicating warnings of nuclear attacks using the Ukrainian P1-Sun drone manufactured by SkyFall – a scenario considered technically implausible.

The timing of the attacks has led to speculation that the Russian hack may have been a retaliatory strike following the compromise of the Ukrainian system, although other actors could also be responsible.

Russia has been conducting a large-scale military offensive against its neighbor Ukraine for four and a half years, including cyberattacks, though these have been less frequent in public attention.

Reports indicate that warning sirens sounded in some regions of Ukraine late Sunday evening. The compromised app also falsely warned of chemical weapon attacks and street fighting. Authorities urged citizens not to click on links within the warning app.

For years, Ukrainians have relied on the alert program on their smartphones for survival. The app, developed by Ajax Systems, provides detailed alarm levels (red or yellow) for individual districts and cities, and recently displays predicted flight paths of Russian drones and rockets. Many Ukrainians also follow military-affiliated Telegram channels for updates on air raids.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy defended recent attacks on Russian refineries, stating that Ukraine must respond when Russia targets its energy infrastructure and kills Ukrainian citizens. He told Fox News that if Ukraine refrained from attacking Russian oil refineries for a month, the West should provide at least that much Patriot air defense missiles to counter Russian attacks. Zelenskyy has repeatedly requested additional air defense support from Western partners, particularly more interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, which are in short supply globally.

A private Ukrainian energy provider, DTEK, reported that one of its facilities in the Odessa region was damaged in a Russian air attack, and restoration work is underway. In Kyiv, subway service was restricted due to voltage fluctuations in the power grid. A bombing in the eastern Ukrainian city of Izium resulted in at least one fatality and three injuries, according to regional reports.