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The Soviet Woodpecker

Another history post for you, this time based in Russia. Many of you might remember the Cold War (if not, it was a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, the Western Bloc and the Eastern Bloc. The term cold war is used because there was no large-scale fighting directly between the two superpowers. (Ironically, it feels like they’re at it again, as of this writing.)

Much like today, technology was at the forefront of both countries’ efforts to depose, dethrone and disable their respective enemies. And, as we have seen again and again, a path of destruction is what remains.

And what remains they are. Here, we are featuring The Russian Woodpecker, based in Chernobyl. Correctly known as the Duga radar system, it was an extremely powerful, reaching over 10 MW, and broadcast in the shortwave radio bands. But it – lovingly or not – was ascribed the nickname Russian Woodpecker by shortwave listeners for its emissions randomly appearing and sounding like sharp, repetitive tapping noises at a frequency of 10 Hz. Learn more about it here, courtesy of Wikipedia.rog

And, as you might expect from us here at Matouring, you can go visit it.

In addition to the Woodpecker, there is lots to see and do in Mykolaiv. Click here for Tripadvisor options.

Stay at the Mark Plaza hotel. Close to everything. Click here to book.

Buses are a favourite choice in Europe. Click here to look and book.

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