March 01, 2023

Ukrainians Hack the Airwaves


Ukrainians Hack the Airwaves
A person listening to "Sputnik in Crimea" in their car as a message from the Ukrainian chief of Military Intelligence was playing.  ASTRA, Telegram.

Hackers took over radio frequencies in Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014, and broadcast the Ukrainian anthem, followed by a message from Ukraine's chief of military intelligence. This incident occurred a day before the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian chief of military intelligence addressed listeners in Russian:

Citizens of Ukraine, this is Kirill Budanov addressing you. Ukraine will regain all invaded territories. Donbas [and] the Autonomous Republic of Crimea will always return home. We will find every traitor to Ukraine, wherever they may be hiding. All of them will be liquidated. To all patriots: the time to act has arrived. Wait. We will come to you. Glory to Ukraine!

Crimeans quickly took to social media with recordings of the broadcast. The radio stations Sputnik in Crimea, Vera, and Crimea government officials confirmed the hack. Control over the frequencies was restored later the same day.

On February 22, a similar incident occurred inside Russia. According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, radio stations in Voronezh, Belgorod, and Kurgan oblasts played an air raid alert and false information on a possible missile strike. The fake announcements were broadcast via the radio stations Relax FM, Comedy Radio, Avtoradio (Car Radio), and Yumor FM (Humor FM).

President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine is ready to return Crimea to Ukrainain control, be it by peaceful or by military means. 

You Might Also Like

Notes at the Front

Notes at the Front

Musicians have not been spared from the criminalization of protest and expression. We also share Ilya Yashin's final words.
Another Political Prisoner
  • February 20, 2023

Another Political Prisoner

A court in Barnaul sentenced an independent Russian journalist for "fake news" about the Russian army.
AI Will Watch You
  • February 13, 2023

AI Will Watch You

Russian authorities plan to use artificial intelligence to scour the interwebs for undesirable political information.
Dangerous Dreams
  • December 23, 2022

Dangerous Dreams

Russians are being fined for their dreams, "likes," and "silent support."
A Dangerous Film about Dangerous Wars
  • May 10, 2019

A Dangerous Film about Dangerous Wars

Pavel Lungin’s controversial film Братство is nothing new, but its political context is — and that’s what makes it so dangerous.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

Life Stories
September 01, 2009

Life Stories

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.

The Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955