The Russian emergencies ministry says its public alert system is “operating as normal”, stressing that citizens are informed of alerts through multiple channels including sirens and loudspeakers, text messages, and TV and radio broadcasts, and that the app is "only an additional, ancillary news service".

“The hacking of the mobile app has not had, and cannot have, any impact on the operation of the public alert system,” it said on its Telegram channel.

It said specialists were working to restore normal operation of the mobile app but the situation was “under control”.

Abdujalil Abdurasulov
Ukraine reporter

The false warnings were sent out just minutes before the end of a ceasefire in the Ukrainian frontline city of Oleshky, which has been under Russian occupation since 2022.

The rare six-day ceasefire had allowed hundreds to evacuate from Oleshky, in a deal that was brokered with the help of US First Lady Melania Trump and Pope Leo XIV.

It was the longest a ceasefire has held since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

But the fighting is likely to resume in Oleshky as both sides have accused each other of using this period to strengthen their frontline forces. And yet, the humanitarian mission has sparked some optimism.

Officials in Kyiv say that it can lead to “systemic solutions” and “pave the way for further steps in the peace process”.

Yana Lantratova, who coordinated the Oleshky operation from the Russian side, says that both countries have agreed to carry out “regular humanitarian missions”.

But as Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson puts it, the Kremlin sees such operations as separate from the peace process.

Image source, Reuters

As alarming alerts were sent out hours ago, Ukraine warned of "hostile interference".

"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 alert on Telegram reads.

The Ukrainian Central Intelligence Agency says there was a failure in the app, and urges people to use other sources of information to clarify the situation on the threat of air strikes.

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.

Ukraine and Russia are reporting cyber attacks on their emergency alert apps, with fake warnings sent to users around the countries.

Ukraine was first to report problems, and for a short time the capital Kyiv was subject to a radiation threat, the Ukrainian Air Force has said.

A few hours later Russian authorities said its app was hacked, with a Ukrainian espionage group reportedly sending fake warnings of nuclear strikes inside Russia.

Stay with us as we bring you the latest developments.