Der Spiegel, in collaboration with Danish journalists, published a study on construction work at Russian nuclear facilities based on a “public database of more than two million documents relating to Russian military procurement.” The study shows that many parts have been rebuilt, with hundreds of barracks, observation towers, fences, and warehouses constructed. There is data on purchases for ventilation and electrical systems for residential facilities. Particularly valuable information is reported on three rows of electric fences around the perimeter of military units, seismic and radioactivity sensors, alarm systems with infrared sensors and video cameras (all of which every Russian today considers a mandatory attribute of a dacha).
Well, in my unit in 1977, we had all of that except for video cameras. However, there weren’t any in the metro either. Life takes its toll. But it’s strange to present as a victory a description of floor plans of dining rooms, sleeping quarters, sports equipment, chess and checkers in leisure areas. As far as I understand, nothing has changed in half a century. It’s a pity there’s no billiards—we had it.
Of course, I can understand the justified indignation of German journalists at the treacherous actions of the Knauf company: the builders used its cement and plaster. By the way, the builders are mostly civilians. That is, the bedrooms, one hopes, turned out to be humane. In my day, the entire army used only construction battalions, which diligently left palm-thick cracks in all corners.
The study does not contain any data on combat zones (actually secret facilities). However, they are clearly visible from reconnaissance satellites. I think that barracks with sports grounds are also visible.
Western OSINT intelligence journalists called the improvements “modernization of Russia’s nuclear forces.” In that case, it would be useful for them to familiarize themselves with the huge construction complex that has been serving the Ministry of Defense’s orders for the last 15 years. There have indeed been tremendous changes in the everyday life of the Russian military. In Crimea alone, a number of absolutely modern military towns have appeared. There are not only checkers and chess, but also schools and kindergartens.
Russian journalists know immeasurably more about military towns and the struggle for contracts to build them than their German counterparts. In particular, they obtained this information when investigating the use of budget funds by Deputy Minister of Defense Timur Ivanov. He is now under investigation, as are many of his colleagues. Russian journalists also obtained information from open sources.
Are Western intelligence agencies interested in whether Russian missile forces have weights and treadmills? Perhaps. But those who are assessing not housing construction but the actual modernization of Russia’s nuclear forces rely on other sources.
Apparently, Trump impressed everyone so much with his “Golden Dome” that Russian, German, and Danish journalists, without consulting each other, rushed to write about the world of missiles and atomic bombs.
