Kathrine Frich
Wednesday’s message burst was one of its most active periods in decades.
Wednesday’s message burst was one of its most active periods in decades.
‘Doomsday Radio’ Bursts to Life
As NATO leaders met in The Hague, Russia’s eerie Cold War-era radio station, UVB-76, dubbed “Doomsday Radio”, suddenly began broadcasting dozens of strange, coded messages.
The timing, coinciding with high-level talks on Ukraine, has raised eyebrows among military watchers and conspiracy theorists alike.
A Chilling Throwback from the Cold War
Known as “The Buzzer,” UVB-76 has transmitted mysterious tones and code words since the 1970s.
Believed to originate from a military base near Moscow, it often sparks into activity during moments of international crisis.
Wednesday’s message burst was one of its most active periods in decades.
Cryptic Codes or Military Signals?
Among the bizarre Russian words broadcast were “Narcissus,” “Blooming,” “Cognac,” and “Lisbon”, all indecipherable without a classified cipher.
According to Mirror, experts speculate these broadcasts could be linked to nuclear readiness drills, strategic communication tests, or psychological warfare.
Summit Tensions as Trump, Zelensky, and Starmer Convene
While Putin’s mysterious signals rang out, NATO leaders, including Donald Trump, Keir Starmer, and Volodymyr Zelensky, convened in The Hague.
Topping the agenda: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and NATO’s next steps in collective defence and deterrence.
Theories Swirl: Is This a “Dead Hand” Activation?
One long-standing theory suggests UVB-76 forms part of Russia’s “Dead Hand” nuclear response system, automatically triggering military action if command lines go dark.
Some believe these broadcasts serve as readiness checks for such apocalyptic protocols.
NATO Responds with More Military Spending
At the summit, NATO nations agreed to ramp up defence spending, with the UK pledging £70 million in seized Russian assets to support Ukrainian air defences. Prime Minister Starmer said the UK’s commitment to Ukraine would not waver.
Not the First Time UVB-76 Has Spiked
UVB-76 activity has previously surged during tense events, including calls between Putin and Trump.
Earlier this week, it broadcast the word “Otniatiye”, meaning “to take away life or hope”—prompting concerns it was more than just noise.
Strategic or Symbolic?
Whether the radio surge was a direct response to NATO or a coincidence, the timing couldn’t be more ominous.
As Western powers tighten their grip on military cooperation, Russia seems keen to remind the world it still has unpredictable tools in its arsenal.
