Ukraine has been hit by a malicious form of software which is similar to the one that affected the UK's NHS and other systems around the world. It's understood that some computers at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant have downloaded the ransomware program, causing an evacuation.
Radiation monitoring systems at Chernobyl have been switched onto manual mode, and there is reportedly no threat of radiation leakage.
The virus is affecting some parts of the Ukrainian power grid, according to the Mirror, as well as supermarkets, banks, an airport and the capital's metro system. Sky News reports that the UK's National Cyber Security Centre is investigating the ransomware breach. It's believed the virus has also hit Russian, German and American companies.
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Ukrainian politician Rozenko Pavlo tweeted this image:
The text translates to: "Yes, ladies! The Cabinet of Ministers Secretariat also 'collapsed' along the way. The network lies."
Despite the serious nature of the virus, Ukraine's official Twitter account tried to calm nerves with this post
It reads: "Some of our gov agencies [and] private firms were hit by a virus. No need to panic, we're putting utmost efforts to tackle the issue."
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The Chernobyl nuclear power plant is still under decommissioning after its fourth reactor famously exploded in 1986.
The ransomware virus hit headlines around the world last month when hospitals and GP offices around the UK became infected. The malware is designed to encrypt data on a user's computer, before demanding a sum of money in exchange for unlocking the device.
The message in the ransomware which targeted the UK said: "Many of your documents, photos, videos, databases and other files are no longer accessible because they have been encrypted. Maybe you are busy looking for a way to recover your files, but do not waste your time. Nobody can recover your files without our decryption service.
"You only have three days to submit the payment. After that the price will be doubled. Also, if you don't pay in seven days, you won't be able to recover your files forever."
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But the NHS wasn't the only target. The attack hit nearly 100 countries and affected tens of thousands of computers at major companies like FedEx and Telefonica.
