WW3 fears explode as Russia’s chilling Doomsday Radio sends first message in months

What is UVB-76, also known as “The Buzzer,” and why does it fascinate so many people?

A mysterious Russian shortwave radio station, officially called UVB-76, has captured the imagination of listeners for decades. The station, which dates back to the Cold War, is often referred to simply as “The Buzzer” because of the monotonous buzzing sound it has broadcast almost continuously since the 1970s.

On rare occasions, the buzzing is interrupted by coded voice messages. Earlier this week, enthusiasts noticed unusual activity when two coded transmissions were heard: one containing the call sign NZHTI (previously linked to the station) and another using the word “HOTEL” followed by a sequence of numbers. Social media users immediately began speculating about the meaning, with some suggesting they might be coordinates.

Over the years, UVB-76 has gained nicknames such as “Doomsday Radio” due to speculation that it might be tied to Russia’s nuclear systems. Others believe it’s a military communication tool, possibly kept active to maintain control of the frequency. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, there have been more reports of voice messages, reinforcing the theory that the station still has military relevance.

The station has also inspired countless conspiracy theories from being a “Dead Man’s Switch” for nuclear retaliation, to serving as a beacon for UFOs, or even a mind-control device. Radio researcher Ary Boender, who tracks these odd transmissions, dismisses such claims as myths. For example, when the station briefly went silent in 2010 during a relocation of transmitters, no doomsday event followed.

Experts like Professor David Stupples of City University London suggest the signal may be maintained for military purposes, not necessarily to send active commands but to prevent others from using the channel. In his words, “They are keeping the channel available by broadcasting and saying ‘this is ours.’”

While no one outside Russia knows the station’s exact role, UVB-76 continues to intrigue shortwave enthusiasts, online sleuths, and conspiracy theorists alike. Its strange persistence buzzing for half a century makes it one of the most mysterious broadcasts in the world.