Fake nuclear warning from hacked app sparks unease but not panic in Ukraine
Many Ukrainians, who have faced years of Russian attacks, did not take the messages seriously and doubted their veracity.
Ukrainians have grown weary of the relentless alerts blaring from their phones and echoing through their streets, day and night, warning of Russian drones and missiles.
On Sunday night, the system delivered something to make them sit up and take note – a succession of more extreme threats that quickly escalated to impending nuclear strikes, chemical attacks and combat on the streets.
Sofia Kochmar, 34, a mother-of-one living in the western city of Lviv, said she was initially concerned but quickly questioned the authenticity of the alerts.
"Still, somehow I immediately realised that it wasn't something serious. Or maybe I just really wanted to believe that."