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UVB-76 - "The Buzzer", recorded on 24 March 2022

Key Information

UVB-76 (Russian: УВБ-76; see § Name and callsigns for other callsigns), also known by the nickname "The Buzzer", is a shortwave radio station that broadcasts in upper sideband mode on the frequency of 4625 kHz (wavelength of 64.8 m).[1][2] It broadcasts a short, monotonous buzz toneⓘ, repeating at a rate of approximately 25 tones per minute, 24 hours per day.[1] Sometimes, the buzzer signal is interrupted and a voice transmission in Russian takes place.[3][4][5][6] Although the true nature of the transmission was never revealed, it is speculated to be related to the Dead Hand system, thus the transmission being sometimes referred to as the Doomsday Radio.[7]

Name and callsigns

[edit]
UVB-76 – "The Buzzer", recorded on 10 August 2022

The station is commonly known as "The Buzzer"[8] in both English and Russian (Russian: Жужжалка, romanized: Zhuzhzhalka). From its first voice transmission in 1997 to 2010, the station identified itself as UZB-76[9][10] (Russian: УЗБ-76). The callsign UVB-76 was never used by the station itself, but is rather a mistranscription of UZB-76.[2] However, the station is still often referred to by that name. In the following years of transmission, the main callsign of the station changed regularly.

Main callsigns of UVB-76 ("The Buzzer")
Callsign Timespan used
UZB-76 (УЗБ-76) 24 December 1997 – 7 September 2010
MDZhB (МДЖБ) 7 September 2010 – 28 December 2015
ZhUOZ (ЖУОЗ) 28 December 2015 – 1 March 2019
ANVF (АНВФ) 1 March 2019 – 30 December 2020
NZhTI (НЖТИ) 30 December 2020 – present

In addition to these main callsigns, The Buzzer also uses other "side callsigns" which are being used less frequently than the main callsign. Whenever the main callsign changes, all previous side callsigns are also discarded.[1]

The station transmits using AM with a suppressed lower sideband (USB modulation), but it has also used full double-sideband AM (A3E). The signal consists of a buzzing sound that lasts 1.2 seconds, pausing for 1–1.3 seconds, and repeating 21–34 times per minute. Until November 2010, the buzz tones lasted approximately 0.8 seconds each.[1][11] One minute before the hour, the repeating tone was previously replaced by a continuous, uninterrupted alternating tone, which continued for one minute until the short repeating buzz resumed, although this stopped occurring in June 2010.[12]

Since the start of broadcasting, The Buzzer broadcasts as a repeating two-second pip.[13][14]

Voice messages

[edit]
UVB-76 – "The Buzzer" with a voice message, recorded on 24 January 2013

The buzzing sound is sometimes interrupted by the broadcast of voice messages. These messages are always given in Russian by a live voice, and follow three fixed formats:[2][1][15][16]

UVB-76 – "The Buzzer", recorded on 3 August 2023

Monolith

[edit]
video icon UVB-76 in 1982 on YouTube
video icon UVB-76 in 1989 on YouTube

A message in the Monolith format always consists of the following parts:

  • Callsigns, each of which read out twice in the readout. A callsign always consists of four symbols, each symbol being either a Russian letter or a digit
  • Five digit ID groups (number of items usually follows the number of callsigns)
  • Message blocks, each consisting of one code word and eight digits

Example of a Monolith message sent on The Buzzer with exactly one callsign, one ID group and one message block (most common type):

NZhTI NZhTI 34 511 GOLOSOK 80 17 81 54[17]

Monolith messages can however contain any number of items from each part:

87OI 87OI A1JZh A1JZh 217O 217O DOTsU DOTsU MSZh7 MSZh7 02 189 44 871 71 132 13 155 27 420 VYMOKAN'Ye 18 97 35 87[18]
MTA3 OTQ2O Tg1NzM3 Mzk1ODE0NCAtP iAuLi0uIC 4tLi4gLi0g Li4uI C4uLi4g Li0uLi AuLiAtL S4gLi4uLiAt[19]
87OI 87OI 25 184 GOLOVChATYJ 31 10 33 40 VYeKShA 31 10 33 40[19]

Uzor

[edit]

A message in the Uzor format always consists of the following parts:

  • Callsigns, each of which read out twice in the readout
  • Message blocks, each consisting of one code word and four digits

Example of such a message:

MDZhB MDZhB TsYeNTIM 61 51[20]

Nowadays, Uzor messages are rarely sent on The Buzzer.

Komanda

[edit]

Komanda is the most uncommon type of voice message. Since it has not been heard for years, messages of this type are most likely not being sent on The Buzzer anymore. They consist of a callsign (read out twice), a codephrase (Russian: ОБЪЯВЛЕНА КОМАНДА, romanized: OB'YaVLYeNA KOMANDA, lit. 'command announced'), and a following number.

Example of such a message:

MDZhB MDZhB OB'YaVLYeNA KOMANDA 135[21]

Unusual transmissions

[edit]

Distant conversations and other background noises have frequently been heard behind the buzzer; this suggests that the buzzing tones are not generated internally, but are produced by a device placed near a live and constantly open microphone. Because of the occasional fluctuating pitch of the buzzing tones, it is supposed that the tones are generated by a tonewheel as used in a Hammond organ. It is also possible that a microphone may have been turned on accidentally.[22] One such occasion was on 3 November 2001, when a conversation in Russian was heard:[11]

Я – 143. Не получаю генератор... идёт такая работа от аппаратной. (English: I am 143. Not receiving the generator [oscillator]... that stuff comes from hardware room.[23])

In September 2010, several unusual broadcasts were observed; these included portions of the buzzer being replaced with excerpts from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.[24]

Офицер дежурного узла связи "Дебют", прапорщик Успенская. Получила контрольный звонок от Надежды... поняла.[25] (English: "Officer of the duty station 'Debut', ensign Uspenskaya. Received a test call from Nadezhda... understood.")

On 15 May 2020, broadcasts from unknown French speaking persons were heard.[26]

A short clip of hijackers playing Drugs by Sonic Mine over the buzzer, recorded on 29 July 2024

In January 2022, various signals with spectrogram-encoded images, visible through a spectrum analyzer, were broadcast on the same frequency.[27] There have also been reports of various songs airing on the station's frequency, many of which were connected to internet memes such as the 2012 K-pop song "Gangnam Style";[28][29] a Vice article attributed these broadcasts to pirates hijacking and spamming the frequency. The nationality of the pirates has also come into question by Vice in relation to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis and Russian invasion of Ukraine.[28]

Only on very rare occasions have there been any external civilian communications—unless authorised by the Russian defence ministry—with UVB-76, given its status as a military radio. The most recent event occurred under irregular circumstances. During the night of 4 May 2024 at 21:38 (MSK),[30] an unknown Russian-speaking pirate infiltrated the frequency and attempted to contact the station whilst the buzzer was not active, if not on standby. The pirate subsequently asked a series of improvised questions to the station, briefly conversing with the station's operator:

Unknown pirate: А можно шутку рассказать? . . . Один «ррр» (звонок) – «да», два – «нет». (English: Can I tell a joke? One "rrr" [buzz] for "yes", two for "no".)

UVB-76 operator: [Two clear buzzes.]

Unknown pirate: Да за что?? . . . А музыку включить можно? (English: Well, what for? But can I turn on some music?)

UVB-76 operator: [Two clear buzzes.]

Unknown pirate: Почему!? . . . А за такие вопросы вам ничего не будет? (English: But why!? Are you going to get in trouble if you answer my questions?)

[UVB-76 buzzer starts.]

Unknown pirate: Да блин! (English: Well, damn!)

Other instances of deliberate hijackings are widely unreported. Another incident occurred one day prior to the above event. An unknown pirate—possibly the same one—attempted to subject the buzzer to interference, prompting the on-duty operator to immediately retaliate, taking preventative measures against the signal incursion. The UVB-76 operator combined three individual transmitters, with one above, one below and the other centre 4625 kHz transmitting MS-5 burst, along with CIS-12 modern audio as well as tones in several states, summarising together a highly dense spectral pattern with the upper-side band. Numerous noticeable transitions were witnessed over the 4625 kHz selected spectrogram section, as the operators frantically fought against the pirates. The incident occurred for around half an hour, until the operators ceased their tactics after the pirate abandoned attempts, as the buzzer was then reactivated.[31]

Location and function

[edit]
1984 aerial photograph of Povarovo, Russia, former site of the transmitter for UVB-76

The purpose of the station has not been confirmed by government or broadcast officials. However, Rimantas Pleikys, a former Minister of Communications and Informatics of the Republic of Lithuania, has written that the purpose of the voice messages is to confirm that operators at receiving stations are alert.[12][32][33] Another explanation is that the broadcast is constantly being listened to by military commissariats.[34]

There is speculation published in the Russian Journal of Earth Sciences which describes an observatory measuring changes in the ionosphere by broadcasting a signal at 4,625 kHz, the same broadcast frequency as the Buzzer.[35]

One possible interpretation is that the voice messages constitute military communications. The possibility of the station being a numbers station for intelligence agencies, such as the FSB or the former KGB of the Soviet Union, is considered unlikely by some, since messages occur at seemingly unpredictable times. In addition, the static frequency of 4,625 kHz and the low transmitter power are likely unsuitable for reliable long-range communication. [original research?]

The buzzing functions as a "channel marker" used to keep the frequency occupied, thereby making it unattractive for other potential users.[1] The signature sound could be used for tuning to the signal on an old analogue receiver. The modulation is suitable to be detected by an electromechanical frequency detector, similar to a tuning fork. This can be used to activate the squelch on a receiver. Due to the varying emission properties on shortwave bands, using a level-based squelch is unreliable. This also allows a signal loss to be detected, causing an alarm to sound on the receiver.

Another theory, described in a BBC article, states that the tower is connected to the Russian 'Perimeter' missile system, and emits a "dead hand" signal that will trigger a nuclear retaliatory response if the signal is interrupted as a result of a nuclear attack against Russia.[8] This theory is also unlikely, given that the signal frequently breaks down or is routinely switched off for maintenance.[23]

There are two other Russian stations that follow a similar format, nicknamed "The Pip" and "The Squeaky Wheel". Like the Buzzer, these stations transmit a signature sound that is repeated constantly, but is occasionally interrupted to relay coded voice messages.[1]

The former transmitter was located near Povarovo, Russia,[1][36] at 56°5′0″N 37°6′37″E / 56.08333°N 37.11028°E / 56.08333; 37.11028 which is about halfway between Zelenograd and Solnechnogorsk and 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) northwest of Moscow, near the village of Lozhki. The location and callsign were unknown until the first known voice broadcast of 1997.[37] In September 2010, the station's transmitter was moved to the nearby city of Saint Petersburg, near the village of Kerro Massiv (60°18′40.73″N 30°16′45.06″E / 60.3113139°N 30.2791833°E / 60.3113139; 30.2791833). This may have been due to a reorganization of the Russian military. Prior to 9 August 2015, the station is not transmitting from the Kerro Massiv transmitter site ("Irtysh") anymore, possibly due to a reorganization of the Russian military for the particular area which may cause the frequency to be used only in the Moscow Military District. At present, The Buzzer appears to be broadcast only from the 69th Communication Hub in Naro Fominsk, Moscow.[3] In 2011, a group of urban explorers claimed to have explored the buildings at Povarovo to find an abandoned military base and, in it, a radio log record confirming the operation of a transmitter at 4,625 kHz.[better source needed][38][39]

Other callsigns

[edit]

Besides the main callsign, there have been transmissions containing different callsigns such as[citation needed]:

  • LNR4 (Russian: ЛНР4)
  • 87OI (Russian: 87ОИ)
  • VM62 (Russian: ВМ62)
  • A1JZh (Russian: А1ЙЖ)
  • MSZh7 (Russian: МСЖ7)
  • OMP4 (Russian: ОМП4)
  • 7U8T (Russian: 7У8Т)
  • VLHN (Russian: ВЛХН)
  • 217O (Russian: 217О)
  • ANVF (Russian: АНВФ)
  • VZhCH (Russian: ВЖЦХ)
  • LNRCh (Russian: ЛНРЧ)
  • VShchCH (Russian: ВЩЦХ)
  • 34ShchK (Russian: 34ЩК)
  • YeDGShch (Russian: ЕДГЩ)
  • 58Shch1 (Russian: 58Щ1)
  • 5Ye27 (Russian: 5Е27)
  • M4Z2 (Russian: М4З2)
  • 'M4T (Russian: ЬМ4Т)
  • 5PTsB (Russian: 5ПЦБ)
  • LNTM (Russian: ЛНТМ)
  • ZhD9S (Russian: ЖД9С)
  • 28YA (Russian: 28ЫА)
  • KhIZhJ (Russian: ХИЖЙ)
  • 53AJ (Russian: 53АЙ)
  • AMVS (Russian: АМВС)
  • V'TD (Russian: ВЬТД)
  • YeIYJ (Russian: ЕИЫЙ)
  • ODVR (Russian: ОДВР)
  • TsZhAP (Russian: ЦЖАП)
  • ULVN (Russian: УЛВН)
  • ULVN YeFUG (Russian: УЛВН ЯФУГ)
  • VKhVS (Russian: ВХВС)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

UVB-76

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
UVB-76, widely referred to as "The Buzzer," is a shortwave radio station operated by the Russian military that transmits a repetitive buzzing tone on 4625 kHz in upper sideband mode. The station has maintained near-continuous operation since at least the late 1970s, serving primarily as a channel marker to reserve the frequency for potential voice communications. The buzzing signal, consisting of a short, high-pitched tone repeating approximately every 1.2 seconds, dominates the broadcast and is audible globally under favorable propagation conditions. Intermittent voice messages in Russian interrupt this pattern, typically featuring callsigns (evolving from UVB-76 to MDZhB, ZhUOZ, and recently ANVF), phonetic alphabet terms, numbers, and names, formatted as structured military transmissions. These messages, logged by international shortwave monitors, increase in frequency during periods of geopolitical tension, such as the 2010 relocation from the Povarovo site near Moscow (coordinates 56°4′58″N 37°5′22″E) to sites possibly in the Pskov region. Originally associated with the Soviet 143rd Communications Hub, the station's infrastructure includes high-power transmitters capable of 20 kW output, consistent with utility stations rather than civilian broadcasting. Empirical monitoring data indicate no deviation from standard communication protocols, countering unsubstantiated claims of apocalyptic functions like automated nuclear retaliation triggers, which lack verifiable evidence and stem from speculative interpretations by non-expert observers. As of 2025, the station remains active, with recent transmissions confirming ongoing operational status amid 's engagements.

History

Early Detection and Soviet-Era Operations

The UVB-76 signal was first detected by listeners in the late , with the earliest preserved recording from capturing its repetitive tone on the 4625 kHz frequency. Prior to widespread online documentation, the transmission drew attention from radio hobbyists monitoring Soviet-era , though its origin and operators remained unidentified at the time. During the Soviet period, UVB-76 maintained near-continuous operations from a transmitter site near Povarovo, northwest of , as part of what was presumed to be infrastructure. The signal's format consisted of a high-pitched beep or pip emitted every two seconds until around , after which it shifted to the distinctive buzzing tone repeated approximately 25 times per minute, a pattern that persisted without significant interruptions. This monotonous broadcast likely served to occupy the and deter unauthorized use, a common tactic in radio protocols, though no official Soviet documentation has confirmed its exact role or command affiliation. Voice transmissions were absent during the bulk of Soviet operations, with the station's output limited to the automated marker signal, underscoring its function as a low-maintenance standby channel rather than an active messaging . Speculation among early monitors linked it to broader Soviet strategic networks, potentially for wartime coordination or over-the-horizon systems, but such theories lack declassified and stem from by enthusiasts rather than intercepted directives. The station's reliability through the late era, including amid heightened tensions, suggests robust engineering tied to defense priorities.

Post-Soviet Changes and Relocations

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991, UVB-76 persisted in broadcasting its characteristic buzzing signal from the 143rd Communication Hub near Povarovo, Moscow Oblast, without immediate disruption, underscoring the continuity of Russian military shortwave infrastructure amid the transition to the Russian Federation. The station's operations under the callsign UZB-76 aligned with the Moscow Military District, with voice messages remaining infrequent but consistent in format, typically consisting of phonetic codes and numbers read in Russian. A major operational shift occurred in September 2010, when the transmitter was relocated southward to serve the newly established , established through a Russian Ministry of Defense reorganization that consolidated districts for streamlined command. This move, which included a brief outage and test transmissions such as "Swan Lake" music on September 2, 2010, shifted the primary signal origin to facilities near , including the Sudak communication hub in Agalatovo and the 60th Communication Hub (also known as "Irtysh" or "Vulcan"). Concurrently, the callsign changed to MDZhB, reflecting the district's administrative update, while activity levels increased to support broader geographic coverage. Post-relocation, monitoring efforts identified additional redundant transmitter sites, such as the 69th Communication Hub ("") near , allowing the station to switch frequencies or locations dynamically for operational resilience. The Povarovo site was abandoned, as confirmed by urban explorers accessing the facility in 2011, who documented dismantled equipment and no active emissions. These changes enhanced the station's adaptability but preserved its core function of maintaining a continuous marker tone interrupted only by coded voice inserts.

Activity in the 21st Century

The continuous buzzing signal of UVB-76 persisted throughout the early with minimal interruptions, maintaining its characteristic pattern of approximately 25 tones per minute on 4625 kHz, as monitored by international shortwave listeners. Voice transmissions remained exceptionally rare prior to , limited to occasional coded phrases that followed the established format of callsign recitation followed by phonetic alphabet words or numbers, without any publicly verified disruptions to the signal's reliability. A marked increase in voice activity occurred in August and September 2010, coinciding with the station's relocation from the Povarovo site near Moscow to facilities in the Western Military District, such as near St. Petersburg. On August 23, 2010, multiple messages were logged, including sequences like "MDZhB 74 145 Boris Roman Olga Viktor Yakov" at around 13:35 UTC, followed by further transmissions over the subsequent days totaling over 20 verified voice interruptions that month. This period also saw the introduction of the new collective callsign МДЖБ (MDZhB), replacing the prior УЗБ76 (UZB76), reflecting operational changes possibly tied to expanded command-and-control coverage. Subsequent years featured sporadic messages, with callsign shifts including ЖУОЗ (ZhUOZ) from late 2015 to 2019 and АНВФ/ВЖЦХ/217O variants until December 2020, when НЖТИ (NZhTI) became standard. Activity spiked intermittently, such as four messages between January 13 and 27, 2020, and two on May 11, 2020, amid broader geopolitical tensions. In December 2024, the station issued a record 24 voice messages on December 11 alone, consisting of coded names, numbers, and letters in Russian, marking the most verbose day in its observed history. Into 2025, transmissions continued at an elevated rate relative to pre-2010 norms, with two messages broadcast on May 23, including phonetic codes, and additional bursts such as multiple on July 24 and September 8, often during daytime hours. On December 30, 2025, the buzzing signal was interrupted by pirate radio interference, replacing the buzz with excerpts from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, the Nazi-era march "Erika", and pro-war tracks. These events, while still interrupting the buzz for mere seconds to minutes, have fueled ongoing monitoring by enthusiasts, though no official Russian confirmation of purpose exists beyond its military association.

Technical Specifications

Signal Characteristics and Frequency

UVB-76 transmits continuously on the shortwave frequency of 4625 kHz in upper mode. This , corresponding to a of approximately 64.8 meters, enables long-distance suitable for . The primary signal is a monotonous buzzing tone, generated by short bursts of audio repeating at a rate of about 25 tones per minute around the clock. Each buzz lasts roughly 1.2 seconds, followed by a pause of 1 to 1.3 seconds, with the repetition rate varying between 21 and 34 cycles per minute depending on conditions and equipment. This pattern serves as a channel marker to maintain reservation of the frequency band. The buzzing consists of a simple, unmodulated tone resembling a low-frequency hum or electronic buzz, audible across shortwave receivers tuned to the frequency. Signal strength and clarity fluctuate with ionospheric conditions, solar activity, and time of day, often fading during daylight hours in certain regions due to shortwave limits. The continuous nature of the emission prevents other stations from occupying the slot, a common practice in operations.

Callsings and Identifiers

The UVB-76 station, commonly referred to as The Buzzer, utilizes phonetic callsigns in the preamble of its voice messages, broadcast in Russian using the equivalent. These identifiers serve to designate the transmitting entity and have evolved in conjunction with documented relocations and reorganizations within the Russian military's communication network. The designation "UVB-76" itself is an informal Western appellation derived from early phonetic misinterpretations or associations, rather than an official callsign used on-air. The initial callsign, UZB-76 (УЗБ-76), was employed from the earliest verified voice transmissions on 24 December 1997 until 7 September 2010, during operations linked to the from the Povarovo site. This period featured sporadic messages following the continuous buzzing marker, with the callsign recited as "U-Ze-Be 76" in Russian phonetics. On 7 September 2010, coinciding with a transmitter relocation and the formation of Russia's , the callsign shifted to MDZhB (МДЖБ), phonetically "Mikhail-Dmitri-Zhenya-Boris." This identifier persisted until 28 December 2015, appearing in increased message traffic, including multiple transmissions on that final day. Subsequent changes included ZhUOZ (ЖУОЗ), introduced on 28 December 2015 and used until 1 March 2019, recited as "Zhenya-Ul Yan-Olga-Zhenya." From 1 March 2019 to 30 December 2020, the station adopted ANVF (АНВФ), phonetically "Anna-Nikolai-Vasily-Fyodor," alongside occasional variants like VZhTsKh (ВЖЦХ) and 217O in some messages. The current callsign, NZhTI (НЖТИ), effective from 30 December 2020 onward, is announced as "Nikolai-Zhenya-Tatyana-Ivan" and has been consistently monitored in recent transmissions, including those in 2025.
CallsignRussianPhonetic RecitationUsage Period
UZB-76УЗБ-76U-Ze-Be 761997–7 Sep 2010
MDZhBМДЖБMikhail-Dmitri-Zhenya-Boris7 Sep 2010–28 Dec 2015
ZhUOZЖУОЗZhenya-Ul Yan-Olga-Zhenya28 Dec 2015–1 Mar 2019
ANVFАНВФAnna-Nikolai-Vasily-Fyodor1 Mar 2019–30 Dec 2020
NZhTIНЖТИNikolai-Zhenya-Tatyana-Ivan30 Dec 2020–present
These alterations align with verified signal disruptions and site migrations, such as those in and , as triangulated by shortwave monitoring communities, though exact causal links remain unconfirmed beyond with reforms.

Transmissions

The Continuous Buzzing Signal


The continuous buzzing signal of UVB-76, commonly referred to as The Buzzer, transmits a short, monotonous buzz tone on 4625 kHz in upper mode, repeating at a rate of approximately 25 tones per minute for 24 hours daily. This pattern functions as a channel marker to occupy the and deter interference. Each buzz lasts roughly 1.2 seconds, followed by a brief interval of about 1-2 seconds before repetition, maintaining a steady rhythmic output. The buzzing format emerged around 1992, supplanting prior beeps broadcast in the preceding decade, though the station's operations trace back to at least the late 1970s with initial detections reported in the early . This unmodulated tone persists uninterrupted except during rare voice transmissions, ensuring constant presence on the band. Observers note minor variations in tone pitch or repetition rate over time, potentially due to equipment adjustments or transmitter relocations, but the core buzzing characteristic remains consistent. Technical analyses describe the signal's simplicity, with the buzz generated by a basic oscillator producing a harsh, noise-like sound rather than a pure , aiding audibility amid shortwave challenges. The 4625 kHz allocation falls within the tropical bands designated for regional communications, aligning with its observed coverage primarily over . Despite decades of monitoring by shortwave enthusiasts, no definitive public documentation from Russian authorities explains the signal's parameters or purpose.

Voice Messages and Codes

Voice messages on UVB-76 interrupt the continuous buzzing signal sporadically, consisting of spoken Russian transmissions that include repeated callsigns, numeric sequences, codewords, and phonetic alphabet names. These broadcasts follow a standardized format, typically aired during daytime hours on weekdays, and are often simulcast in on parallel frequencies such as 5779 kHz, 6810 kHz, 7490 kHz (daytime), and 4925 kHz (nighttime). The callsign has evolved over time: UZB76 (pre-2010), MDZhB (September 7, 2010, to December 28, 2015), ZhUOZ (December 28, 2015, to early 2019), ANVF and variants (early 2019 to December 30, 2020), and NZhTI (December 30, 2020, to present). Prior to 2010, voice messages were rare; activity increased thereafter, suggesting operational shifts possibly tied to Russian command networks. The format generally begins with the callsign repeated, followed by numbers, a codeword, additional numbers, and spelled-out names using the Russian phonetic alphabet (e.g., Boris for B, Roman for R) for clarity in transmission. Codewords like BROMAL, NAIMINA, TERKA, and AGATU appear to denote specific instructions or recipients, though their exact meanings remain undeciphered outside military contexts. Some messages exhibit or , indicating live operator involvement rather than prerecorded content. Notable examples include:
  • December 24, 1997, 21:58 GMT: The first widely recorded voice message: "Ya UVB-76. 18008 BROMAL: Boris, Roman, Olga, Mikhail, Anna, Larisa. 742, 799, 14," preceded by beeps and repeated multiple times.
  • February 21, 2006, 07:57 GMT: "75-59-75-59. 39-52-53-58. 5-5-2-5. Konstantin-1-9-0-9-0-8-9-8-Tatiana-Oksana-Anna-Elena-Pavel-Schuka. Konstantin 8-4. 9-7-5-5-9-Tatiana. Anna Larisa Uliyana-9-4-1-4-3-4-8," featuring extensive name spellings distorted by interference.
  • September 21, 2006: Included names like Mikhail, Dmitri, Zhenya, Boris, followed by numbers such as 74 14 35 74, indicative of recipient-directed codes.
  • August 23, 2010, 13:35 UTC: "UVB-76, UVB-76. 93 882 NAIMINA 74 14 35 74. 9 3 8 8 2 Nikolai, Anna, Ivan, Mikhail, Ivan, Nikolai, Anna. 7 4 1 4 3 5 7 4."
  • January 25, 2013, 02:47 UTC: "MDZhB TERKA 0254 MDZhB TERKA 0254 MDZhB OBYAVLENA KOMANDA 135," introducing the MDZhB callsign and command phrasing.
  • December 15, 2015, 16:28 UTC: "Zhenya, Ulyana, Olga, Zinaida. Zhenya, Ulyana, Olga, Zinaida. 92, 002, AGATU, 56, 88, 48, 32," using repeated names and the ZhUOZ callsign.
These transmissions align with patterns observed in other Russian military numbers stations, prioritizing brevity and redundancy for reliability in shortwave conditions, but no public decryption keys exist to confirm content beyond surface structure.

Anomalous or Unusual Broadcasts

On September 1, 2010, at approximately 22:25 UTC, the continuous buzzing signal was interrupted for 38 seconds by a fragment of "Dance of the Little Swans" from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake. This musical excerpt, audible in listener recordings, represented a significant deviation from the station's typical format and coincided with a period of heightened activity, including multiple voice messages earlier that month. Throughout September , additional unusual audio intrusions occurred, such as snippets of phone conversations and shuffling footsteps captured behind or replacing the . These incidents followed a 24-hour silence on , , after which the signal resumed with irregular patterns, including Morse code-like elements in some transmissions. Such anomalies have been attributed by monitoring enthusiasts to potential equipment failures or operational tests rather than intentional coded content, though no official confirmation exists. Technical irregularities, including audible Morse code simulcasts bleeding into the voice frequency due to channel separation issues, have also been logged periodically. These deviations, observed in shortwave monitoring logs, suggest maintenance challenges with aging transmission infrastructure, as the station's pre-1990 high-pitched tone marker evolved into the current buzzing without seamless transitions. Background noises like distant voices or mechanical sounds occasionally overlay the buzzer, likely unintentional artifacts from the transmitter site rather than deliberate broadcasts.

Identified Locations

Original Transmitter Sites

The original transmitter site for UVB-76, known as "The Buzzer," was located at the 143rd Communications Hub near Povarovo in , , approximately 40 kilometers northwest of . This facility, tied to Russian military communications, hosted the station's continuous buzzing signal from its consistent detection in the early 1980s until September 2010. The site's coordinates are precisely 56°04′58″N 37°05′22″E, situated between and Solnechnogorsk. The Povarovo installation featured extensive antenna arrays and transmitter infrastructure designed for shortwave broadcasting on 4625 kHz, supporting the station's upper mode operations. efforts by shortwave listeners and signal analysis confirmed this location as the primary origin for UVB-76's emissions during its initial decades, with the signal exhibiting characteristics consistent with a high-power transmitter. The hub's abandonment followed a period of irregular transmissions in 2010, coinciding with Russian reorganizations that prompted relocation. Physical remnants of the site, including dilapidated buildings and rusted antenna masts, have been documented by explorers, underscoring its obsolescence post-2010 while affirming its role in the station's foundational broadcasts. No evidence indicates multiple contemporaneous original sites; Povarovo served as the singular confirmed transmitter base prior to subsequent moves.

Subsequent Relocations and Evidence

In September 2010, the UVB-76 signal ceased broadcasting from its original Povarovo site near and resumed from new locations associated with Russia's , marking a significant relocation likely tied to military reorganization. The transmitter operations shifted to multiple sites controlled from the Sudak communication hub in Agalatovo, with signals relayed via radio and phone lines from command centers. Subsequent identified transmitter sites include the 60th Communication Hub (""), located near St. Petersburg at approximately 60°18′40″N 30°16′40″E, which serves as a primary point feeding the shortwave broadcasts, and the 69th Communication Hub ("") in the same region. These sites feature military-grade antennas and infrastructure consistent with shortwave transmission, as documented through and on-site observations correlating with signal propagation patterns. The station now switches between these and possibly other undisclosed hubs to maintain and coverage. Evidence for these relocations derives primarily from direction-finding techniques employed by international radio monitoring communities, which triangulate signal origins using receiver networks across and analysis of delays, signal strength variations, and interference patterns during transmission shifts. Callsign changes post-2010—from МДЖБ (MDZhB) until 2015, to ЖУОЗ (ZhUOZ) thereafter, and further evolutions like НЖТИ (NZhTI) by 2020—align with Western District protocols, supporting the geographic reassignment as observed in logged voice messages. No official Russian confirmation exists, but correlations with known communication nodes, such as the 60th Hub's role in relaying Moscow-originated signals, bolster the identifications derived from empirical signal data rather than speculation. Further verification comes from increased transmission anomalies around relocation dates, including brief outages and heightened buzzing intensity, which enthusiasts attribute to site commissioning and testing, as recorded in continuous monitoring logs since 2010. These findings, while robust within shortwave analysis circles, remain unofficial and subject to potential tactics inherent in signaling.

Proposed Functions and Theories

Military Communications Role

UVB-76, commonly known as "The Buzzer," operates as a command and control network for the ' , facilitating encrypted voice transmissions to military units within the region. The station's persistent buzzing tone, repeating approximately 25 times per minute, functions as a channel marker to occupy the 4625 kHz , preventing interference and signaling to authorized receivers that the channel is active and ready for official messages. This continuous signal has been broadcast since at least the early , with monitoring data indicating its role in relaying operational commands, readiness checks, or coded instructions during voice interruptions. Voice messages, delivered in Russian using a phonetic alphabet (e.g., callsigns like "MDZhB" or "UZB76" followed by numbers and codes), are typically brief and infrequent, occurring outside regular buzzing periods to convey sensitive military directives. Analysis by shortwave monitoring communities attributes these to the district's headquarters communications, potentially linking to broader Russian military infrastructure for coordinating ground forces, though the exact content remains undeciphered without official keys. The Russian Ministry of Defense has never publicly acknowledged control of the station, but triangulation efforts and historical associations with sites like the 143rd Communications Hub near Povarovo, —abandoned around 2010—support its military attribution over civilian or experimental uses. Relocations, such as to facilities near St. Petersburg post-2010, have maintained the station's operational continuity, with increased voice activity correlating to geopolitical tensions, including post-2014 events and 2022 escalations, underscoring its role in wartime signaling. While speculative links to nuclear systems exist, from transmission patterns and district-specific callsigns points to routine rather than apocalyptic functions.

Connection to Nuclear Command Systems

One prominent theory posits that UVB-76 functions as a component of Russia's Perimeter system, known in the West as "," a Cold War-era semi-automatic nuclear command-and-control mechanism designed to detect nuclear attack indicators—such as seismic shocks, levels, and loss of command communications—and automatically authorize retaliatory strikes if high-level is incapacitated. Proponents suggest the station's persistent buzzing signal maintains an open communication channel for units, with interruptions or voice transmissions potentially serving as activation codes for Perimeter, ensuring retaliation even amid decapitation strikes. This hypothesis gained traction among shortwave enthusiasts and analysts observing the station's resilience since the 1970s, interpreting its format as a "channel marker" akin to other "skeds" that reserve frequencies for use. However, no declassified documents or official Russian admissions substantiate UVB-76's integration into Perimeter, which reportedly relies on diverse sensors and redundant wired networks rather than for core triggering. Russian State Duma Defense Committee Chairman Andrei Kartapolov stated in August 2025 that the station "serves an important national defense function unrelated to the nuclear forces," framing it instead as conventional military communications infrastructure. Skeptics, including experts, argue the theory exemplifies strategic ambiguity amplified by , noting that Perimeter's design predates widespread shortwave monitoring and that UVB-76's occasional outages (e.g., in 2010 and 2022) contradict a fail-safe role requiring uninterrupted signaling. Empirical analysis of transmissions reveals no verifiable nuclear-specific codes; voice messages typically consist of phonetic alphabets and numbers consistent with routine command posts rather than apocalyptic protocols. While the station's transmitter relocations align with Russian Western Military District operations—potentially including strategic rocket forces oversight—the linkage remains speculative, unsupported by intercepted military traffic or defector accounts confirming shortwave dependency in nuclear C3I (command, control, communications, and intelligence).

Alternative Explanations and Skeptical Views

The buzzing signal of UVB-76 functions primarily as a channel marker to maintain reservation of the 4625 kHz within the shortwave band, deterring unauthorized use by other entities amid international competition. This prosaic role, articulated by radio engineering specialist David Stupples, relies on the continuous transmission to signal occupancy without conveying data, consistent with Soviet-era and Russian practices for securing allocated channels for intermittent command traffic. Monitoring data from enthusiast networks confirm the buzz's regularity, with voice interruptions serving routine encoded messages for the rather than existential threats. Skeptical assessments dismiss the "Dead Hand" hypothesis—positing the signal's cessation as an automatic trigger for nuclear retaliation—due to documented outages, such as the 24-hour halt on , 2010, and briefer interruptions in and , none of which precipitated escalation. These events, tracked via signal logs and lack of corresponding geopolitical crises, indicate operational or relocations over a rigid , with transmitter shifts (e.g., from Povarovo to hubs) reflecting logistical adjustments in military infrastructure. Sensational portrayals in media amplify unverified apocalyptic narratives, yet empirical reception records prioritize verifiable transmission patterns absent linkage to Perimeter system protocols. Less substantiated alternatives propose ionospheric probing for atmospheric data or calibration via signal reflection, but these fail to account for the phonetic voice codes or military-proximate sites, rendering them speculative without supporting . Analysts alternatively frame the station within psychological signaling, where in broadcasts sows doubt and resource diversion among observers, eschewing direct nuclear ties for strategic deterrence through . Such views underscore the station's alignment with documented Russian hybrid tactics, prioritizing informational asymmetry over automated weaponry.

Recent Developments

Increased Activity Post-2022

Following Russia's full-scale invasion of on February 24, 2022, UVB-76 transmissions exhibited a marked uptick in voice messages and coded broadcasts, correlating with phases of escalation. Monitoring reports indicate spikes in activity preceding and during the initial invasion phase, including codewords such as "unstoppable" and "teahouse" aired in January and February 2022. This pattern aligns with claims that the station activates during geopolitical tensions, though independent verification of causal links remains elusive. Throughout 2024 and into 2025, the frequency of deviations from the standard buzzing tone persisted, with documented voice transmissions on dates including April 29, July 22, November 12, and December 16, 2024, often featuring phonetic codes and numbers in Russian. In 2025, activity intensified further, with the station broadcasting cryptic messages, occasional music snippets, and interruptions amid sustained public and enthusiast scrutiny. Specific events included a transmission of coded names and numbers, followed by encrypted signals on October 6. Russian , citing historical patterns, attributes this rise to post-Soviet operational shifts, noting transmissions evolved from every few years to more regular intervals, a trend amplified by ongoing conflicts. Shortwave enthusiasts and dedicated logs, such as those on Priyom.org, confirm the callsign NZhTI (НЖТИ) in use since late 2020, with messages predominantly during daytime hours on weekdays, underscoring a structured framework rather than random anomalies. While exact transmission counts vary by observer, the post-2022 volume exceeds prior baselines, fueling of ties to command networks without conclusive .

2024-2025 Transmissions and Patterns

In 2024, UVB-76 maintained its characteristic monotonous buzzing signal on 4625 kHz in upper sideband mode, interrupted sporadically by voice transmissions in Russian consisting of phonetic codes and numbers. On , the buzzer ceased temporarily, as reported by radio monitoring communities, before resuming normal operation. The most notable activity occurred on , when the station issued 24 voice messages—a single-day record—totaling around 30 words, including codes such as "NZhTI," "OMERTVLE NIE," and numerical sequences, deviating from prior patterns of infrequent bursts. Activity escalated into 2025, with multiple voice messages documented monthly by shortwave enthusiasts via online recordings and logs. On February 6, a transmission included "НЖТИ 71 158 ОМЕРТВЛЕНИЕ 1760 8868" at 08:35 UTC. March saw anomalies on the 16th and a on the 27th at 08:08 UTC, featuring similar coded phrases. brought four cryptic messages within 24 hours after a period of relative silence, including unfamiliar codewords. June 4 featured "AZOTOBAK" and "OSHOLIN," while June 23 and July 2 each had dual messages with phonetic elements like numbers and apparent commands. Later 2025 transmissions included July 24 codes, August 8 activity with incidental Russian anthem audio amid buzzing, September 9 interruptions of the buzzer by voice messages, and October 6-7 encrypted broadcasts resembling historical formats. October 20 recorded three messages around 12:52 UTC. In December 2025, around mid-month, the station transmitted approximately 15 cryptic voice messages over a short period, with listener reports noting faint music excerpts including from Swan Lake and other tunes, alongside bursts of Morse code. Overall patterns showed heightened frequency—dozens of verified voice events versus historical rarity—clustered around geopolitical tensions, though no causal link is established; monitoring relies on amateur receivers due to the station's unverified military ties. On January 12, 2026, at 10:37 Moscow time, the station interrupted its buzzing signal with a voice message in which the announcer spelled out "Nutoshato."

References

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