Hackers send fake nuclear alerts through Russian emergency app

Unknown hackers breached the mobile application used by Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations to broadcast air raid warnings. The intrusion occurred during the night of November 1 and extended into early November 2. Attackers used the compromised system to push a false alert to the public regarding a nuclear threat.

The notification claimed that P1-SUN delivery systems were launching nuclear warheads across all Russian oblasts. The alert instructed citizens to shelter in basements and stockpile enough food to last three weeks. Russian media outlet Astra and the Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed the details of the hack.

The Ministry described the incident as a massive cyberattack that allowed attackers to transmit fake information. Officials stated they are working to fix the app's security vulnerabilities and restore normal operations. As of 4:00 a.m., experts were still attempting to bring the application back online.

The ministry clarified that the national public notification system remained functional and was not affected by the app breach. It emphasized that the hack could not impact the broader alert infrastructure used for air raids.

The incident followed a similar cyberattack on Ukraine's official Air Alarm application on the evening of November 1. That app displayed alerts in Russian about radiation and chemical hazards, as well as threats involving Oreshnik missiles. Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation and State Emergency Service advised citizens on alternative ways to receive air raid updates.

The Ukrainian app's developers confirmed the hack and temporarily suspended service. They later partially restored the application and pledged to strengthen security measures to prevent future attacks.