False nuclear alert in Ukraine: The Ukrainian alert app was targeted by a cyberattack / Russia reported similar problems

A false alert concerning an alleged radioactive and chemical danger, and even street fighting, was sent on Sunday, November 1, at around 22:48 local time, through the Air Alert app, used in Ukraine to warn the population in the event of air attacks. The notifications mainly targeted residents of the capital Kyiv and included a message in Russian about a nationwide nuclear alert and the Russian Oreshnik missile.

The Ukrainian Air Force quickly denied the information and announced that the app had apparently been subjected to a cyberattack. “There is no radioactive threat,” the authorities stated, recommending that the public follow only official sources.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs urged citizens not to access suspicious links and not to share unverified information.

Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations announced Monday morning that its mobile app, also used to warn the population in the event of attacks involving Ukrainian drones and other dangers, had also been targeted by a “massive cyberattack.” Russian authorities claim that the attackers managed to transmit false information to users.

In a message published on Telegram, the ministry stated that specialists were working to remedy the vulnerabilities and restore the app’s normal functioning.