Hackers issue false nuclear warnings through Ukraine emergency app

Hackers targeted Ukraine’s nationwide emergency alert app late on Sunday, sending false warnings to people in Kyiv about an imminent nuclear attack. The notifications, which started shortly before 11pm local time, also incorrectly reported a chemical threat and fighting in the capital’s streets. Some messages appeared in Ukrainian, while others were written in English containing spelling errors.

Many residents dismissed the notifications because they believed the app had been hacked, but others were frightened. A woman identified as Nina said she was briefly terrified and lay on her bed wondering what would happen. Another message, written in Russian, claimed Oreshnik missiles were about to strike Ukraine. The missiles can carry nuclear warheads, and the Kremlin has previously used the weapon three times, striking the Kyiv region, Dnipro and Lviv.

The Ukrainian app said in a Sunday post that unauthorised parties had disrupted its operation. It announced a temporary suspension of the channel and advised users to avoid links in suspicious notifications. By Monday, neither the identity of those responsible nor their motive was clear.

Russian officials separately said hackers had accessed the emergency ministry’s app and distributed false alerts in Russia. One post referred to the hacking group Hitcore. Mash, a Russian Telegram channel linked to the security services, reported that representatives of the group had claimed responsibility in a conversation with the channel. That account could not be verified.

The false warnings coincided with Russia’s resumption of attacks on Kherson, hours after a ceasefire ended near the southern Ukrainian city. Hundreds of people had been evacuated during the pause from Oleshky, a nearby town under Kremlin control. Kherson’s military administration said a Russian drone struck a hospital at 7.40am. Footage showed damaged rooms, shattered windows, broken doors and debris outside. Officials reported no injuries.

Evidence indicated that Russian forces used the six-day ceasefire to reinforce positions in Oleshky and bring in replacement troops. The White House said the pause had been brokered by first lady Melania Trump. Bodies of civilians were also taken from a hospital morgue during the ceasefire.

Sky News received footage showing Russian troops moving heavy military equipment and bringing in ammunition. The broadcaster reported that soldiers carried large bags into burned-out buildings before entering basements. Armoured vehicles were also seen on Oleshky’s streets. The town lies three miles from Kherson across the Dnipro River, and Ukrainian kamikaze drones had made Russian resupply difficult before the truce.

Dmitry Pulinets, commander of Ukraine’s 34th Separate Marine Brigade, told Sky News that Russian soldiers had previously been unable to drive through the town regardless of the time or weather. He said the ceasefire had allowed them to move vehicles continually over the preceding days.

The truce expired at 11pm on Sunday. Both sides described the local pause, the most significant since 2022, as successful. Ukraine’s ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, who went to Oleshky to coordinate the evacuation, suggested similar missions could take place elsewhere along the frontline. On Monday, however, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said no further truces were planned elsewhere. He described regrouping during such pauses as routine and said he assumed Ukrainian forces had also done so.