RTE, Sky and Nova TV received bomb threats after reports of bombs on flights

Because of the letter, RTE aired music and prerecorded messages for three hours, and Nova TV’s newsroom was evacuated. The British Sky was also among the recipients of the threats.

In the letters received by RTE and Nova TV, the sender identified himself as Mikhail Andropov. This is likely a reference to Yuri Andropov, the former General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee.

He claimed to be behind the bomb warnings that airlines received last week as well. According to Reuters, the letter, titled “Message to the West”, said that an explosive device had been planted in the building and would detonate in 45 minutes.

The TV channels received the threats shortly after reports of bombs on European flights, which led to emergency landings and additional security checks at airports. No explosive devices were found then either.

Authorities in European countries have not yet announced whom they consider responsible for the false reports. According to the Italian agency Ansa, the hoax bomb threats were sent in the name of “fighters of the ‘Men’s State.’”

The founder of the Russian movement “Men’s State”, Vladislav Pozdnyakov, said he was not involved in the bomb reports on flights in Europe. He also said that the movement has not existed since 2021.

Sources

• Material: meduza.io