Ukraine's Air Alert app sent false warnings of nuclear and chemical threats Sunday after unauthorized persons interfered with the app's operation, the air force said. The app briefly displayed alerts for nuclear incidents, chemical threats, and street fighting across Kyiv and other areas. The air force disabled push notifications and issued an all-clear message on Telegram.
Two hours later, Russia's Ministry for Emergency Situations reported its mobile app had suffered a massive cyberattack that allowed attackers to send fake information to the public. It was not immediately clear if the two incidents were connected.
The alleged cyberattacks occurred as Russia and Ukraine continue military operations against each other's territories. A local ceasefire in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky and surrounding Kherson region areas expired at midnight Moscow time after allowing humanitarian aid delivery and evacuation of hundreds of trapped residents. Ukraine's General Staff said Russia used the pause to rotate units, fortify positions, expand anti-drone measures, and deliver ammunition.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said October was the deadliest month for Russian forces since the 2022 invasion began, with 54,400 troops killed or badly wounded. Ukraine's Defense Forces liberated 96.2 square kilometers of land in October, 10.4 square kilometers more than Russia captured during the same month.