Trending
Prev Story
Next Story

Ukraine air raid app apparently hacked as users receive false radiation alert, Air Force says

BBC News •
November 01, 2026 • 10:28 PM
1
1 reads 0 reactions

Authorities say there is no threat and have advised the public to stay calm and follow official channels for information.

1 / 3
Swipe Photos

Ukraine's air raid alert app was apparently hacked on Sunday and for a short time said the capital Kyiv was subject to a radiation threat, the Ukrainian Air Force has said.

The Air Force message on Telegram read: "The Air Alarm application has probably been subjected to hostile interference. There is no radiation threat! Stay calm and follow our updates on our channel."

The Ukrainian Central Intelligence Agency said on Telegram that there had been a failure in the app, and urged people to use other sources of information to clarify the situation regarding the threat of air strikes.

The messages, in Ukrainian, started at approximately 22:47 (20:47 GMT), with the first reading: "Radiation threat. Radiation threat declared in Kyiv."

The next alert, written in Russian, came at 22:48, which read: "Hi! There will be a nuclear alert across Ukraine. Don't worry, it's Oreshnik flying".

A third alert, at 22:49, again in Ukrainian, said "Chemical threat. There is a threat of a chemical attack on Kyiv. Don't go outside."

At 22:49, a fourth alert stated there was a "Street fighting threat. Street fighting is taking place in Kyiv. Don't go outside."

A series of all clear messages were then delivered to users' phones, which were connected to each of the previous alerts, individually declaring each threat clear.

In a separate post, the Ukrainian Central Intelligence Agency said that due to the Air Alert application, the Radiation Hazard signal was played on loudspeaker devices in the Lviv region, and added there was no threat of radiation hazard.

It advised the public to turn on notifications on your smartphone, pay attention to sirens, and to only read official sources.

The governor of Vinnytsia oblast, Natalya Zabolotna said there had been a cyberattack on the Air Alert app and posted a warning on Telegram not click on the link in the message.

The Air Alert app is supported by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, and informs users instantly about the beginning and end of defence alerts.

Prev Swipe Story Next

Same Story from Other Publications

Compare how 5 other independent news outlets reported on this story.

5 Publications
CNBC World
1h ago
FAA issues nationwide ground stop citing communication issues affecting ‘multiple’ air traffic control facilities

FAA issues nationwide ground stop citing communication issues affecting ‘multiple’ air traffic control facilities

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a nationwide ground stop on Friday afternoon, "due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety."

CNN International
3h ago
Europe and Ukraine get a boost in peace talks, but Putin is playing for time | CNN

Europe and Ukraine get a boost in peace talks, but Putin is playing for time | CNN

The Russians appear to have agreed to give Europe a seat at the negotiating table. Whether it spurs progress towards peace remains to be seen

#ukraine
Compare →
Al Jazeera English
6h ago
Europe seeks seat at Ukraine peace talks but lacks unified voice

Europe seeks seat at Ukraine peace talks but lacks unified voice

EU leaders believe a US-backed process will allow Moscow and Washington to decide the fate of a conflict.

#ukraine
Compare →
The Guardian
7h ago
Russia is ‘setting traps’ in Ukraine talks, EU foreign policy chief warns

Russia is ‘setting traps’ in Ukraine talks, EU foreign policy chief warns

Kaja Kallas says Moscow is trying to divert attention from its aggression by raising issue of European security

#ukraine
Compare →
Hamro Patro News
20h ago
Putin Agrees to Include European Representatives in Future Ukraine Peace Talks

Putin Agrees to Include European Representatives in Future Ukraine Peace Talks

Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to include European representatives in the upcoming peace talks with Ukraine. US Special Envoy Steve Vitkoff gave this information on Thursday af...

#ukraine
Compare →

Related Stories

World News
Build #2611