by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
KYIV/MOSCOW (Worthy News) – Cyberattacks targeting emergency warning systems in Ukraine and Russia triggered false nuclear and chemical attack alerts over the weekend, raising concerns about the vulnerability of public safety networks amid the ongoing war.
Ukraine’s Air Force confirmed Sunday that its nationwide air raid alert application had been compromised, briefly warning residents in Kyiv and other regions of radiation threats, chemical attacks, and street fighting. One fabricated alert claimed Russia had launched its nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile.
Ukrainian military officials quickly reassured residents that no radiation emergency existed and urged the public to rely on verified government communications.
Hours later, Russia’s Emergencies Ministry reported a separate cyberattack against its public warning application. Hackers distributed fabricated messages claiming nuclear warheads had been launched against Russian regions, advising residents to seek shelter and stockpile three weeks of food.
The incidents coincided with the expiration of a six-day localized ceasefire in southern Ukraine, which had temporarily allowed humanitarian assistance and civilian evacuations.
Ukrainian officials suggested Russian involvement in the attack on their warning system, however responsibility for the breaches had not been independently established.
Authorities also had not determined whether the two incidents were connected.
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