New Delhi: Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of cyberattacks on Monday after their emergency alert applications were reportedly hacked. The incidents came as a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine’s Kherson region ended on Sunday, raising concerns over a possible resumption of fighting.
The Russia’s emergencies ministry said its public warning application had suffered a “massive cyberattack”, with hackers using the platform to circulate false information, Tass reported. The ministry said technical teams were working to restore the service. The application is used to alert residents about incoming drone attacks and other emergencies.
The announcement came hours after Ukraine reported a suspected breach of its air raid alert application. The country’s air force said the platform had likely faced hostile interference after false warnings about a radiation threat appeared. It clarified that there was no radiation danger. Air force spokesperson Yuriy Ignat later confirmed, Arab News reported.
While Moscow did not identify those responsible for the attack on its application, Ukraine’s centre for strategic communications, SPRAVDI, blamed Russia for the interference targeting its alert system.
The cyber incidents unfolded shortly after a temporary ceasefire in the eastern Kherson region expired on Sunday. The truce, which remained in effect from October 27 to November 1, was the longest pause in fighting during the war so far. Russia declined to extend it, according to Kyiv.
The ceasefire was brokered with the involvement of the United States first lady, Melania Trump, and allowed a humanitarian mission to reach the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky. The Ukraine’s parliament commissioner for human rights, Dmytro Lubinets, described the pause as an important step in joint humanitarian efforts.
Following the end of the truce, Kherson regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin urged residents to remain alert and respond immediately to warnings of Russian attacks. A Ukrainian military officer also warned that fighting could intensify, alleging that Russian forces had used the pause to move troops, stockpile ammunition and monitor Ukrainian positions with surveillance drones.
At the same time, Russian and Ukrainian troops were still striking one another in different parts. According to Russia, there was an attack with drones on an industrial complex east of Moscow, while, according to Ukraine, the capital hit Kstovo oil refinery.
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, added that if the United States provided more Patriot missile interceptors for Ukraine, then the former would not carry out attacks against Russian oil refineries. In an interview with Fox News, he said Russia would have to stop attacking Ukraine’s energy grid too.
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