European TV Networks Receive Hoax Bomb Threats Signed 'Mikhail Andropov'

Several European television broadcasters received bomb threats by email on November 6, Reuters reported. The recipients included Ireland's broadcaster RTE, Britain's Sky and Bulgaria's Nova TV. Searches of their offices turned up no explosives, so the threats proved to be hoaxes. The incident came shortly after similar threats against European flights last week, which led to emergency landings and extra security checks at airports.

Impact on operations

RTE was forced to broadcast music and prerecorded messages for three hours. Nova TV's newsroom was evacuated.

Who is behind it

It remains unclear who sent the threats. RTE and Nova received emails signed by a person calling himself Mikhail Andropov, which is likely a reference to Yuri Andropov, a general secretary of the Soviet Communist Party. The sender claimed responsibility for the bomb threats against airlines last week as well.

The email, quoted by Reuters and titled "MESSAGE TO THE WEST," said the sender wanted the whole world to know about the group, and that one of its operatives had planted an explosive device in the building, set to go off in 45 minutes. It added that this was only the beginning and that the events of the week were a small part of what awaits Europe in the near future.

European authorities have not said publicly who they believe is responsible. The Italian news agency ANSA reported that the threats were sent under the name "Fighters of Men's State." Vladislav Pozdnyakov, founder of the Russian movement Men's State, said he had nothing to do with the bomb threats against flights in Europe and that the movement itself has not existed since 2021.