Moscow. The Russia-Ukraine war appears to be taking a new and dangerous turn in the digital world. A cyberattack on both countries' official emergency warning systems sent fake alert messages to citizens' mobile phones, threatening a nuclear attack and radiation threats. This incident caused widespread confusion and panic among the public, although officials quickly clarified the situation, stating that no actual nuclear or radiation threat existed.
Fake messages sent from Ukraine's Air Alert app
On the night of November 1st, unusual alerts began appearing on citizens' mobile phones in several regions, including the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. These alert messages were sent through Ukraine's official Air Alert app, which is typically used to report missile and drone attacks. This time, the messages warned of a radiation threat, a chemical attack, and an attack by Russia's nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile. The Ukrainian Air Force immediately issued a clarification stating that the app had been compromised by enemy forces.
Cyber Strike on Russia's Emergency App
Just hours after the attack in Ukraine, hackers also reported that the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations' mobile app had been targeted. Citizens in Russia also received fake messages claiming that nuclear missiles had been launched targeting all parts of the country and advising people to stock up on food for three weeks and take shelter in basements. The pro-Ukrainian hacking group "Atesh" claimed responsibility for the attack on the Russian app.
The Growing Scope of Digital Warfare
According to technical experts, hackers likely gained access to these systems by hacking into application programming interfaces (APIs). Although both countries have blamed interconnected hacker groups, this incident has made clear that modern conflict is not limited to the battlefield; digital and cyber systems have also become a major weapon.