Ukraine and Russia reported cyberattacks on their emergency alert apps late Sunday and hours later, as a humanitarian truce in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky ended. Ukraine’s air force said its air raid alert app was hacked to send fake warnings of nuclear and chemical threats, and Ukraine’s Center for Strategic Communications, SPRAVDI, blamed Russia for the hack. Hours later, Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said its mobile app was hit by a massive cyberattack that enabled attackers to send false information to the public. Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country would stop targeting Russian oil refineries if the United States provided Patriot interceptor missiles.
A temporary ceasefire in Oleshky, a Ukrainian town occupied by Russian forces, ended on Sunday night. Ukraine resumed attacks on Russian refineries.
Ukraine’s air force said the hack of the air raid alert system occurred late on Sunday, with fake alerts warning of nuclear and chemical hazards. Ukraine’s Centre for Strategic Communications, SPRAVDI, blamed Russia for the incident in a post on its X account.
Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said on Telegram that the attack on its app enabled “attackers to send false information to the public” and that authorities were working to fix the problem.
Speaking to Fox News, President Zelenskyy said he had held “different and several” conversations with Trump and his team on the issue of striking Russian refineries. “We asked that we can’t not respond after Russia’s attack on our energy, after Russia is killing our people, attacks on our electricity, gas, refineries, on everything,” Zelenskyy said.
He said Ukraine would cease attacks on Russian refineries for one month if the US provided Patriot missile systems for the same period. “We said that if you want us not to attack Russia’s refineries, they have not to attack our energy system. Another alternative, give us Patriot missiles, we will find money, not just aid,” Zelenskyy added.
Asked if he was concerned this would be seen as trying to leverage Trump, Zelenskyy said: “I don’t have any concerns when I share the truth between partners.”
Ukrainian authorities have been warning for weeks that their supplies of Patriot interceptor missiles are running low.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The hacking of civilian alert apps risks spreading panic and undermining public trust in emergency warnings.
- Zelenskyy’s offer ties a major Ukrainian military tactic (oil refinery strikes) to US arms supplies, potentially shifting the dynamic of US-Ukraine relations.
- The resumption of hostilities on refineries after the truce indicates ongoing escalation.
Background
Russia’s war in Ukraine has included frequent cyberattacks on critical infrastructure on both sides. In recent months, Ukraine has stepped up drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, while Russia has targeted Ukraine’s energy grid. The Patriot missile system, supplied by the US, is one of Ukraine’s main defences against Russian missile and drone attacks. The town of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, has been under Russian occupation since early in the war.
Key Perspectives
Ukraine (President Volodymyr Zelenskyy): Said Ukraine would stop hitting Russian refineries for one month if the US provides Patriot missiles for the same period and if Russia ceases attacks on Ukraine’s energy system. He said he has held multiple conversations with President Trump on the issue.
Ukraine’s Centre for Strategic Communications (SPRAVDI): Blamed Russia for the hack on Ukraine’s air raid alert app, which sent fake warnings of nuclear and chemical threats.
Russia (Emergencies Ministry): Reported that its mobile app was hit by a massive cyberattack enabling false information to be sent, and said authorities were working to fix it. It did not attribute blame.
What to Watch
- The US administration’s response to Zelenskyy’s Patriot-for-refinery-strikes offer.
- Whether the cyberattacks on emergency apps escalate into broader cyber conflict.
- The military situation around Oleshky and further drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedUkraine and Russia reported cyberattacks on their emergency alert apps.DW English: “Emergency alert apps in both Ukraine and Russia have been hacked, officials said.”
- SupportedZelenskyy offered to stop attacks on Russian refineries if the US provided Patriot missiles.DW English: “Zelenskyy says Ukraine will stop refinery strikes if US sends Patriot missiles”
- SupportedA temporary ceasefire in Russian-occupied Oleshky ended on Sunday night.DW English: “As a temporary ceasefire in Russian-occupied Ukrainian town Oleshky ended on Sunday night”
- SupportedUkraine resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries after the ceasefire ended.DW English: “As a temporary ceasefire in Russian-occupied Ukrainian town Oleshky ended on Sunday night, Ukraine resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries.”
- SupportedUkraine’s air force said its air raid alert app was hacked late Sunday, sending false warnings of nuclear and chemical threats.DW English: “Ukraine's air force said an air raid alert app was hacked late on Sunday, with fake alerts being sent to smartphones, warning people of nuclear and chemical threats.”
- SupportedSPRAVDI blamed Russia for the hack in a post on X.DW English: “SPRAVDI, Ukraine's Center for Strategic Communications, blamed Russia for the hack in a post on its X account.”
- SupportedRussia’s Emergencies Ministry said its app was hit by a massive cyberattack that enabled attackers to send false information to the public.DW English: “"Attention! The mobile application of the Ministry of Emergencies of Russia has been subjected to a massive cyberattack, enabling attackers to send false information to the public," the Emergencies Ministry posted on Telegram.”
- SupportedSpeaking to Fox News, Zelenskyy said he had had “different and several” conversations with Trump and his team about refinery strikes.DW English: “Speaking to US broadcaster Fox News, Zelenskyy said he had had "different and several" conversations with Trump and his team on the issue.”
- SupportedZelenskyy said: “We asked that we can’t not respond after Russia’s attack on our energy, after Russia is killing our people, attacks on our electricity, gas, refineries, on everything.”DW English: “"We asked that we can't not respond after Russia's attack on our energy, after Russia is killing our people, attacks on our electricity, gas, refineries, on everything," he said.”
- SupportedZelenskyy said Ukraine would stop refinery attacks for one month if the US provided Patriot missile systems for the same period.DW English: “The Ukrainian leader said if Washington provided the missile systems for one month Kyiv would cease attacks on Russian refineries for the same period.”
- SupportedZelenskyy said: “We said that if you want us not to attack Russia’s refineries, they have not to attack our energy system. Another alternative, give us Patriot missiles, we will find money, not just aid.”DW English: “"We said that if you want us not to attack Russia's refineries, they have not to attack our energy system. Another alternative, give us Patriot missiles, we will find money, not just aid," Zelenskyy added.”
- SupportedAsked whether he was concerned about appearing to leverage Trump, Zelenskyy said: “I don’t have any concerns when I share the truth between partners.”DW English: “Asked if he was concerned that this would be seen as trying to "leverage" Trump, Zelenskyy said: "I don't have any concerns when I share the truth between partners."”