Russia, Ukraine report cyberattacks on emergency alert apps

Russia and Ukraine reported cyber incidents affecting their emergency alert mobile applications early Monday, with false warnings sent to users in both countries.

The Ukrainian Air Force stated its Air Alert application had likely been subjected to 'hostile interference' after false warnings appeared on the app.

Ukraine's Center for Strategic Communications later blamed Russia for the incident, noting users had received 'strange messages,' including a Russian-language message referring to the Oreshnik missile.

Hours later, Russia's Emergencies Ministry said its mobile application had been hit by a 'massive cyberattack' which allowed attackers to send false information to the public.

The ministry emphasized that Russia's broader public warning system was operating normally and had not been affected by the breach.

Citizens continued to, receive alerts through sirens, loudspeakers, SMS messages, and television and radio broadcasts, according to the ministry, which added that the mobile application was only an additional information service.

The ministry said specialists were working to restore the app's normal operation and that the situation was 'under control.' Moscow did not say who it believed was responsible for the attack.

It was not immediately clear whether the incidents affecting the Russian and Ukrainian applications were connected.