Fake nuclear alerts issued after Ukraine app hack
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Ghanaian Chronicle
Hackers compromised air-alert applications in Ukraine and Russia, triggering false messages about nuclear, radiological or chemical attacks. The Ukrainian app was temporarily disabled for maintenance, while authorities urged people to follow official channels, according to the BBC.
Fictitious alert messages, some referring to nuclear attacks, were circulated on Sunday evening after the suspected hacking of air-alert applications used in Ukraine and Russia. The Ukrainian app sent red alerts across the country, as well as warnings about radiological and chemical risks and street fighting in some areas, including Kyiv, according to the BBC, cited by the Ghanaian Chronicle.
Ukraine’s air force said there was no radiological threat and asked the public to follow its communications on Telegram. The government temporarily disabled the app for maintenance, believing it had apparently been compromised. Several messages written in Russian also led users to question their authenticity.
A few hours later, Russian authorities reported the hacking of a similar application. False alerts, some containing insults, were triggered. Ukrainian and Russian officials did not establish a link between the two incidents or identify those responsible, according to the BBC.
The incidents provide further details after the report on 2 November of cyberattacks on Ukrainian and Russian alert applications.
