Numbers stations are a mysterious phenomenon of shortwave radio dating back to the Cold War. The radio signals are secret messages sent by intelligence agencies to undercover spies all over the world, but no government has ever acknowledged their existence. Anyone with a shortwave radio can hear the messages, but one-time pad encryption means they’re impossible to understand. The Recount dives into this fascinating mystery to understand where numbers stations come from and why this lo-fi technology is still being used by spies and intelligence operatives all over the world, including in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
