Apparent cyberattacks spark false threat alerts, Ukraine and Russia say

The attack, Russia said, granted the hackers the ability to "distribute false information to the public."

Published: November 2, 2026 9:07am

Emergency alert apps were hit with cyberattacks on Sunday night, causing Ukraine residents to receive warnings of air raids, radiation, chemical threats and street fighting. 

Ukraine's air force accused "the enemy" of compromising the app, the BBC reported, but Russa said that its app had also been hit with a "massive cyberattack." 

The attack, Russia said, granted the hackers the ability to "distribute false information to the public." 

The alerts triggered panic among some Ukrainian residents, but a Ukrainian official told the BBC that residents of the country have become accustomed to incessant alerts, leading to skepticism. 

The Facts Inside Our Reporter's Notebook

Unlock unlimited access

  • No Ads Within Stories
  • No Autoplay Videos
  • VIP access to exclusive Just the News newsmaker events hosted by John Solomon and his team.
  • Support the investigative reporting and honest news presentation you've come to enjoy from Just the News.
  • Just the News Spotlight

    Support Just the News