Prior to the upcoming meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in Alaska, Russia’s well-known ‘Doomsday Radio’ has suddenly become active. The UVB-76 radio station, a relic from the Cold War era, recently transmitted a series of seemingly nonsensical words and codes, deviating from its typical buzzing sounds transmission over the past 50 years.
Reports from the Telegram channel ‘Militarist’ indicated that the recent messages sent by the station closely resembled those from early January 2022, with some variations in preceding codes. Notably, these transmissions preceded Putin’s aggressive military actions against Ukraine by just a month.
The purpose of the enigmatic UVB-76 station, also known as ‘Dead Hand Radio’ or ‘Judgement Day Radio,’ remains shrouded in secrecy. Speculations suggest it could serve as a fail-safe mechanism triggering a military response, potentially related to nuclear threats, or be involved in training exercises concerning the Strategic Missile Forces or General Staff.
Operating independently of the internet or satellite networks, the UVB-76 station is believed to be situated in a classified military area northwest of Moscow, established during the Soviet era.
In a noteworthy occurrence earlier this year, the station witnessed a surge in activity, reminiscent of Cold War levels. Its heightened operations coincided with the timing of discussions between Putin, Trump, and other world leaders.
Preceding the Putin-Trump summit, European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky engaged in what was described as a “constructive” dialogue with Trump. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the need to safeguard fundamental security interests during the upcoming talks in Anchorage, aiming to address Moscow’s conflict in Ukraine.
While Zelensky and European leaders were excluded from the summit, efforts were made to convey their perspectives. The virtual meetings orchestrated by Merz aimed to ensure European and Ukrainian viewpoints were articulated ahead of the pivotal discussions.
Expressing skepticism about Putin’s intentions, Zelensky reiterated the necessity for coordinated actions by the US and Europe to compel Russia towards a peaceful resolution. Stressing the importance of preventing deception by Russia, Zelensky urged a unified stance among partners.
Trump, approaching the summit cautiously, expressed a desire to assess Putin’s commitment to ending the prolonged conflict, labeling the meeting as an initial assessment opportunity. However, Trump’s suggestions regarding territorial concessions by Ukraine and Russia were met with skepticism and opposition from Zelensky.
Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s firm stance on retaining control of its territories and rejected any compromises that could potentially pave the way for future territorial disputes.
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