Ukraine Air Alert App Hacked, Users Get False Alerts — SkimNews
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- Air Alert app was apparently hacked on Sunday, first declaring at about 22:47 (20:47 GMT) that Kyiv faced a radiation threat; all-clear messages followed each false alert.
- Air Alert app sent a Russian-language nuclear warning across Ukraine at 22:48, saying “Oreshnik flying,” then issued chemical-attack and street-fighting warnings for Kyiv at 22:49.
- Ukrainian Air Force said the app probably suffered hostile interference, stated there was no radiation threat and told users to remain calm and follow its Telegram updates.
- Ukrainian Central Intelligence Agency called it an app failure, urged people to use other information sources and said a Radiation Hazard signal played on loudspeaker devices in Lviv region despite no radiation danger.
- Natalya Zabolotna, the Vinnytsia oblast governor, said the incident was a cyberattack and warned residents not to click a link in the message.
- Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine supports the Air Alert app, which instantly informs users when defense alerts begin and end.
Why it matters: For users of the Ministry-supported Air Alert app, four bogus warnings from 22:47 to 22:49 pushed false emergency information through the channel meant to deliver instant defense-alert notices. The Air Force and intelligence agency directed residents to Telegram and other sources, while Vinnytsia’s governor warned against a link in one message.
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