Grigoriopol radio transmitter complex attacked
An attack on a major Soviet-era radio transmitting complex near Grigoriopol, in the unrecognised breakaway region of Transnistria in Moldova, took out the antennae used for two medium wave transmitters.
The Grigoriopol site consists of a number of antenna arrays used for short and medium wave broadcasting. The site also has a large, rotatable antenna.
It is understood that the complex – in the area that is essentially controlled by Russia – is used to broadcast Russian-language domestic programmes of Vesti Radio, on 999 and 1413 kHz. Transmitters at the site are also believed to be hired out to third party broadcasters. Trans World Radio has used the Grigoriopol complex for medium and short wave relays of its programmes aimed at audiences in Europe and, via short wave, in Africa. It is unclear whether these relays were operational at the time of the attack, and whether the transmitters are operated by a Russian transmission company or a local Moldovan company.
According to the Pridnestovie Tourism authority: “The radio centre is one of the main attractions of the Grigoriopol district
“The construction of this large-scale structure lasted 7 years – from 1968 to 1975. In Soviet times, all the transmitters of the radio centre were loaded 23 hours a day: it broadcast programs to the territory of the Soviet Union and foreign countries. The height of the centre’s antennas reached 250 meters. Broadcasting covered the entire globe. There were programs for polar explorers of Antarctica, for sailors of the commercial and fishing fleet.”
The attack appears to have demolished antenna towers in the main part of the transmitting station site, but not the transmitter hall nor the rotatable antenna (pictured)at the south-west of the site.
The site, in a picturesque rural setting, can be seen in this YouTube video produced by Lens Flare: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVMVPI9qa5A.
Main photo: Ministry of Internal Affairs of Transnistria; other images: YouTube/Lens Flare; Pridnestovie Tourism