Ukraine’s emergency app taken offline after users receive false nuclear attack warnings
Millions of people in Ukraine received a worrying warning which claimed that a Russian nuclear missile was heading towards the nation, which came after the country's emergency alert system was reportedly hacked, and temporarily taken offline.
The app known as Air Alert gives people in Ukraine real-time information about incoming attacks from Russia as, according to the Apple App Store, the platform is volunteer-based and sends push notifications to your phone about threats in your chosen area or city in Ukraine.
However, a suspected cyberattack involving the app resulted in several false emergency messages being sent to users.
One of the alerts claimed that an Oreshnik missile was approaching and that a nuclear warning had been activated across Ukraine.
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The message, which was written in Russian, read: “Don’t worry, an Oreshnik is overhead! A nuclear alert has been activated across Ukraine.”
This wasn’t the only alarming notification received by users, with other warnings coming through that claimed there was a risk of radiation exposure and a chemical attack.
People were reportedly instructed to remain indoors, wear protective equipment and take iodine, while another message warned of fighting in the streets and urged residents to find the nearest shelter.
This all proved to be false as the Ukrainian air force reassured people that no such attack was happening.
In a post on Telegram, they wrote: “The air alert app appears to have been subjected to enemy influence. There is no radiation threat! Stay calm and follow our updates on our channel!”
According to a report by The Telegraph, the governor of Ivano-Frankivsk, southwestern Ukraine, stated: “Currently, the situation in the oblast is calm. Reports indicate a cyberattack on the notification app.”
A similar cyberattack took place in Russia
The incident also appeared to have a parallel situation take place in Russia just hours later, with the nation’s Emergencies Ministry stating that its own mobile app had been targeted by a cyberattack.
According to Russian state news agency TASS, the attack allowed hackers to distribute false information to members of the public, with officials saying specialists were working to restore the service.
Reports suggest Russian users had also received false warnings about an imminent nuclear strike, with messages claiming nuclear missiles had been launched towards regions across the country.
It remains unclear whether the two attacks were connected, and neither the Ukraine nor the Russian government has provided information that would identify a culprit.