KYIV/ MOSCOW — Air alert applications in both Kyiv and Moscow were hacked on Sunday night, with fake messages warning of attacks including nuclear strikes sent to users' phones, officials and users said.
In Ukraine, the alerts began with warnings of drones and missiles before escalating to impending nuclear strikes and chemical attacks, causing momentary concern before Ukraine's Air Force confirmed the system had been compromised and there was no radiation threat. It took more than an hour to issue official 'all clear' messages to users.
Russian authorities subsequently reported that a similar alert app had been hacked, with fake triggers including some containing foul language. The incidents affected multiple air raid warning applications that use government-backed data feeds.
Ukrainian users described growing weariness of the relentless alerts that have become routine during the conflict. Some who received the fake nuclear warnings said they initially felt concern before questioning their authenticity. Sofia Kochmar, a mother living in Lviv, said she was initially nervous when she saw the word 'nuclear' but then doubted the message when it mentioned 'street fighting in Kyiv.'
Anastasiia Romanytska, a ballerina in Kyiv, said friends forwarded her the warnings despite her not having the app installed. She said her body reacted with stress even though she immediately realized it wasn't serious.
The hacking incidents occurred amid ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine and ahead of the United States' midterm election campaign period. Both countries' authorities worked to reassure citizens that the alerts were false and that normal conditions remained in effect.
