Fake nuclear warning from hacked app sparks unease but not panic in Ukraine

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.

But many in the country did not take them seriously and doubted the veracity of the messages.

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.