Kathrine Frich
Russia’s mysterious shortwave station known as UVB-76, or “Doomsday Radio,” briefly came to life again this week
It broadcasted two cryptic messages that have left listeners guessing again.
Exhaustion?
The signal, which has been transmitting a low-frequency buzz since the 1970s, has long been linked to the Russian military.
Its eerie activity often sparks speculation about covert operations or global events.
On October 15, the channel transmitted two words less than two hours apart.
First “EXHAUSTION” at 12:59 Moscow time, then “DOMINION” at 14:28.
Purpose unknown
The short, chilling broadcasts were quickly picked up by dedicated radio enthusiasts around the world.
Many of them track the station’s irregular transmissions and connect its activity to moments of political or military tension.
Known for its monotonous buzzing punctuated by bursts of speech, UVB-76 has fascinated and unsettled listeners for decades.
Its exact purpose remains unconfirmed, though experts have long believed it to be part of a Cold War-era military communication system still used today by the Russian state.
Cryptic Transmissions and Conspiracy Theories
The recent messages follow similar activity in early September, when the station broadcast the codewords “NZHTI” and “HOTEL,” followed by a strange sequence of numbers: 38, 965, 78, 58, 88, and 37.
At the time, online communities speculated that the figures could be geographic coordinates or coded orders tied to unfolding events.
Enthusiasts say the station occasionally switches format, with male or female voices reading names, words, or numbers over the buzz.
“Buzzer fans,” as they call themselves, have tracked its output since 1982, when it emitted a series of beeps before changing to its current buzzing tone a decade later.
Another recent broadcast reportedly occurred in May, during a phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, adding fuel to theories that UVB-76’s activity coincides with moments of geopolitical tension.
Experts Point to the Kremlin
While no official explanation has ever been released, many analysts believe the Russian government is behind the signal.
Electronic and radio engineering professor David Stupples of City University of London told Popular Mechanics:
“I think to find the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, I think it would have to come from the Russian Federation themselves. It is almost certainly the Russian government that is using it. If it is the Russian government, it wouldn’t be for peaceful purposes,” he added.?
This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, which may have used AI in the preparation
