European TV stations receive bomb threats by email signed 'Mikhail Andropov'

In brief

• European broadcasters RTE, Sky and Nova TV received bomb threats by email on November 6.
• Searches found no explosives, but RTE aired music for three hours and Nova TV was evacuated.
• The emails were signed 'Mikhail Andropov' and linked to earlier airline threats; no suspect has been named.
• Spain calls the threats a hybrid attack, and Ireland describes a coordinated campaign.

Threats hit broadcasters across Europe

Several European television broadcasters received bomb threats by email on November 6, Reuters reported. Among the recipients were Ireland's RTE, Britain's Sky and Bulgaria's Nova TV ("Michaił Andropow" grozi Europie. "To dopiero początek" – Wirtualna Polska) (Europejskie stacje TV otrzymały groźby bombowe w e-mailach od "Michaiła Andropowa" – Onet) (Европейские телеканалы вслед за авиакомпаниями получили предупреждения о минировании. Угрозы им прислал «Михаил Андропов» – Meduza). Searches of the buildings turned up no explosive devices.

Evacuations and broadcast disruption

RTE broadcast music and pre-recorded messages for three hours because of the false alarm. Nova TV's newsroom was evacuated. Sky and Nova TV carried out checks of their premises (Bombendrohungen in Europa: Anzeichen auf koordinierten Angriff verdichten sich – tagesschau.de).

Messages signed by 'Mikhail Andropov'

The emails to RTE and Nova were signed by a person calling himself Mikhail Andropov, which appears to be a reference to Yuri Andropov, the former Soviet leader. The sender claimed responsibility for the bomb threats against airlines earlier in the week. One message said an agent had planted a device set to detonate in 45 minutes, and described the threats as only the beginning. The subject line read 'Message to the West'.

Authorities have not named a suspect

It is not known who sent the messages. Irish authorities have not determined whether the threats came from individuals or an organized group. European governments have not publicly named anyone as responsible.

Spain sees a hybrid attack

Spain's foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, said the bomb threats against aircraft were not a coincidence and described them as an attempt at hybrid aggression against European democracy. He linked them to hacking attacks on digital platforms and supermarket refrigeration systems. Ireland has described the incidents as a coordinated campaign.