Millions of Russians in almost a dozen cities were left confused and terrified after receiving false missile warnings through radio alerts, text messages, and sirens. The warnings were later attributed to a hacker attack, and local officials quickly announced that the alerts were fake. The broadcasts were played in at least 10 cities, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations accused unidentified miscreants of initiating the broadcasts.
The Ministry stated that an attack on a satellite operator’s infrastructure was the cause of the fake alerts and text messages. The ministry added that “an unauthorized tie-in is going on the air. The alarm signals transmitted on the air do not correspond [to] reality.” Citizens were advised to “follow the messages in official sources,” and technical specialists were working on the situation.
The fake missile warnings occurred two days before the one-year anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked and illegal attack on neighboring Ukraine. This event raises concerns about Russia’s involvement in cyberattacks on Ukraine government agencies and private corporations. For over a year, reports of Russian cyberattacks on Ukraine government agencies and private corporations have surfaced, leading up to the invasion and in the 12 months following it.
Many of the radio stations that aired the false broadcasts are owned by Gazprom-Media, the largest media company in Russia. This attack is the latest example of the vulnerabilities of digital infrastructure and the potential consequences of a successful cyber attack. It highlights the importance of securing digital infrastructure and staying vigilant in the face of new and emerging cyber threats.
