Kyiv and Moscow face cyberattacks on emergency alert apps

A cyberattack targeted an emergency alert app in Kyiv on Sunday, falsely warning residents of radioactive exposure in the Ukrainian capital. According to local authorities, the app, known for sending air raid alerts via smartphones, was compromised by malicious actors. The Ukrainian Air Force reported on Telegram that there was no radiation threat and suggested the "Air Alert" app may have been breached by adversarial forces.

In addition to radiation warnings, incorrect alerts about chemical weapon attacks and the danger of street combat were disseminated through the app. Authorities advised users not to click on any links within the app and assured that the erroneous messages were quickly removed. They also confirmed that the app was temporarily taken offline, although other warning systems, including air raid sirens, continued to operate normally.

Later that night, reports emerged from Moscow of a significant cyberattack on its alert app. Citing Russia's civil defense ministry, the state news agency TASS reported that the cyber intruders were able to send false notifications to the public. The ministry did not comment on who might be responsible for the attack. During the night, access to the ministry's alert website was intermittently unavailable.

Authorities in both Ukraine and Russia have not confirmed any connection between the two incidents. However, the sequence of attacks suggests a potential retaliatory response by Kyiv following the breach of its own system. This speculation remains unverified as officials have not formally linked the attacks.

These cyberattacks unfold amidst ongoing conflicts, with Russia engaged in an extended military campaign against Ukraine for over four years. Regular air strikes pose a continuous threat, particularly to civilians in urban regions like Kyiv, where people often seek shelter in subway stations during such events.

Source: spiegel.de