Hackers breach emergency alert apps in both Ukraine and Russia in tit-for-tat attacks, sending millions fake nuclear strike warnings
The hoax struck minutes after loudspeakers in Lviv blared the fake warnings aloud, as Russia simultaneously claimed its own emergency app suffered a cyberattack sending fake nuclear alerts inside Russia.
Ukraine's Air Alert app, used by 6.7 million people daily, was hit first at 10:47pm local time on Sunday, blasting warnings of radiation, chemical attacks, a hypersonic Oreshnik missile strike and street fighting in Kyiv. Russia's Emergencies Ministry app was breached hours later at 2:45am Moscow time, with false alerts reaching users in 33 regions ordering them to stockpile food for three weeks and shelter in basements. Ukraine's Air Force confirmed the hack within 15 minutes, but took over an hour to issue an all-clear.
A newly-founded hacking group called 'Hitcore' claimed responsibility for the Ukraine breach; Ukrainian hacktivists are suspected of the retaliatory hit on Russia.
Russia admitted a 'massive cyber attack' but insisted its sirens, loudspeakers, TV and radio systems were unaffected.
Kyiv mother Sofia Kochmar, 34, said the word 'nuclear' made her 'nervous and scared' — until she spotted messages written in Russian and doubted their authenticity.
