Millions in Ukraine & Russia warned ‘NUCLEAR warheads have launched’ after emergency apps were hacked in ‘huge cyber attack’

Emergency alert services in Russia and Ukraine were reportedly targeted by cyberattacks that sent false warnings of nuclear, chemical and radiation threats to civilians.

The bogus messages appeared through official applications, online channels and messaging services, prompting authorities in both countries to acknowledge the incidents and issue clarifications. In Russia, false nuclear attack warnings appeared on channels associated with the Emergency Situations Ministry, known as EMERCOM, in Moscow, St Petersburg and several other regions.

The messages reportedly appeared at around 2.45am, instructing residents to gather three weeks’ worth of food and shelter in cellars. Similar warnings were reported on the ministry’s mobile app, through SMS messages and on MAX, Russia’s state-backed messaging platform.

EMERCOM described the incident as a “massive cyber-attack” but said its sirens, loudspeakers, television and radio warning systems had not been compromised. The ministry continued working to restore normal service into the early hours. The report suggested Ukrainian hackers might have been responsible, but did not establish who carried out the attack.

Hours earlier, Ukraine’s Air Alert service had also issued a series of false emergency notifications. The messages claimed there were radiation and chemical threats in Kyiv, a nuclear alert across Ukraine and street fighting in the capital. Residents were told not to go outside.

Ukrainian authorities confirmed that hackers had targeted the service and subsequently said the system was operating normally after midnight. Air Alert provides real-time warnings of incoming Russian missile and drone attacks, allowing civilians to seek shelter. Such warnings can leave residents with only minutes to reach protected locations.

Hours after the false notifications, genuine alerts were activated during a Russian attack on Odesa that reportedly injured four people. The incidents occurred amid continued military strikes and statements about the possibility of negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.

Russian foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said he believed President Vladimir Putin would answer a telephone call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “I believe he would answer, of course. Putin has never once refused to engage in talks,” Ushakov said.

However, the report noted that Putin had declined calls from Zelensky previously, including on February 23, 2022, shortly before Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted Russian oil infrastructure, with images showing a large fire and thick smoke rising from a refinery.

Nizhny Novgorod regional governor Gleb Nikitin said drones had targeted an “industrial enterprise” overnight. Ukraine has repeatedly attacked Russian oil and gas facilities as Moscow continues strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The report also said US President Donald Trump had been pressing Kyiv to stop attacks on Russian refineries, linking them to rising diesel prices.

Separately, it alleged that Elon Musk temporarily reduced satellite internet speeds for Ukrainian terminals after accusing Zelensky of breaching Starlink’s terms of service. The report did not provide supporting details establishing that allegation or its claimed effect on Ukrainian cities.