Russia’s new “nuclear bases”: Defence Express explains whether there is a real threat and the state of Russia’s nuclear weapons
14 July 19:44
ANALYSIS FROM 
Russia is actively building five secret nuclear weapons facilities. This was reported by Business Insider. Satellite images allegedly show new hangars, tunnels, and security perimeters. In a commentary for "Komersant Ukrainian", military observer Ivan Kyrychevsky, an expert at Defence Express, explains what is really behind this – and why the news about “nuclear bases” may also be an element of political performance.
The context in which this activity of Russia should be considered is the expectation of 2026, when the United States and Russia will either sign a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) or break off the negotiations completely. In this case, the world may be on the verge of a new nuclear race.
This is, in fact, a test of capabilities between two aging hegemons. And it’s a bit like an old man trying to look young and popular again,” says Ivan Kyrychevskyi
TheDefence Expressexpert ironically mentioned “Putin and the Pechenegs” when commenting on the complex nuclear arms negotiations between the United States and Russia, because even in seemingly absurd or archaic rhetoric, important signals can be hidden – in particular, about the future of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which expires in 2026.
In this nuclear revanchism, the two powers seek not so much military superiority as attention. Their showy militarism, according to the expert, is more about intimidating the world than actually strengthening defense capabilities.
Old bombers and fear propaganda: what’s behind Gadzhievo’s “secrets”
Talk of “secret facilities” is not always about weapons. For example, the aforementioned base in Gadzhievo is part of the infrastructure of the Russian Northern Fleet, which has nuclear submarines. However, the actual construction, as Kirichevsky says, may simply be a new “guardhouse”.
The Russians often release sensitive information themselves to intimidate – without satellites. These are information traces, not military breakthroughs,” explains Ivan Kyrychevsky.
“Moreover, Russia and the United States have similar difficulties. For example, the Americans admit that their nuclear warhead production cycle has been destroyed. New models are created literally by spinning up old ones. In Russia, the same is true: both in the maintenance of old intercontinental missiles and in the renewal of nuclear aircraft.
In the United States, the youngest B-52 is 62 years old. The B-1B Lancer is another type that has long been in need of replacement: there are about 40 in service, but the actual combat readiness is questionable,” says Ivan Kyrychevsky.
However, despite these limitations, American strategic aviation does fly – and bomb when necessary, as, for example, during the recent strikes on Iran. But Russia’s is only trying to maintain the illusion of combat capability.
After the “Web” it became obvious: Russia can take off a maximum of 4 strategic bombers at a time. And this is already considered a “success”.
“Despite all the horror that the Russians are bringing to us, they can no longer attack us with more than a dozen Tushki,” Kyrychevsky notes.
“This means one thing: even in a nuclear confrontation-if it really still exists somewhere in the minds of the leaders of the Russian Federation and the United States-Russia has no real aviation tool of intimidation.
What’s really going on in Belarus?
Special attention is now being paid to Belarus. According to media reports, there are suspicions that tactical nuclear munitions are stored in Osipovichi. However, according to Kirichevsky, the real nuclear capability there is also in doubt.
During nuclear exercises, the Russians and Belarusians demonstrated a subsonic Su-25 attack aircraft as a carrier. But it does not have time to leave the blast zone after the bomb is dropped. And the attack aircraft is the second thing to burn in the nuclear flames. It’s like a kamikaze bomb,” explains Ivan Kyrychevskyi.
“Moreover, during the same exercises, the outboard tanks on the aircraft were ‘vomited’ – which may indicate a basic misunderstanding of what a real nuclear bomb looks like.
What could be really disturbing is the so-called “sheds” – fortifications for storing first-generation Topol intercontinental missiles from around the 1990s. According to Kyrychevsky, new carriers, such as Oreshnik missiles, could potentially be moved there.
Are tactical nuclear weapons closer than they seem?
One of the little-known details is that Russia’s nuclear weapons storage shelters are located even in the border region of Belgorod. According to some estimates, it is there that tactical nuclear warheads of 203 mm caliber – ammunition for PION guns that Russia is not currently using – could be stored. According to Kyrychevsky, if it were possible to confirm the presence of such weapons at a particular facility, it would provide an important insight into the degree of threat.
Engels airfield: hit or miss? Another important question, says Kyrychevsky.
If we take strategic nuclear weapons, earlier during one of the strikes on the Engels airbase, even before the large-scale SBU operation “Pavetina,” there were suspicions that the shelter where nuclear weapons are stored could have been damaged. A coincidence? Coincidence? But an unusually large number of Emergencies Ministry units arrived at the scene, which raised additional questions,” says Kirichevsky.
“Subsequently, an analysis of satellite images confirmed that the so-called Object C, located as far as possible from the main runway, was a nuclear warhead storage site. Russia apparently tried to expand this facility, but failed.
“Burevestnik” and the dips in Novaya Zemlya
Another point of “nuclear fog” is the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, where Russia once conducted nuclear tests. In recent years, Moscow has threatened to resume them, and has also tried to launch a nuclear-capable Burevestnik missile there. However, like most of Russia’s “hybrid weapons,” it exploded at the launch rather than flying.
The Russians themselves gave up trying to scare the world with a possible return to nuclear tests. The reason is simple: there is nothing to test, – Ivan Kyrychevsky
So why is the West scared? In fact, Kyrychevsky explains, it is not about real combat readiness, but about information traces – an imitation of force, an attempt to intimidate. This game is being played on both sides, but its main goal is to create the illusion of a nuclear resource that has long been lacking.
New track: hypersonic weapons
At the same time, the most dangerous segment is hypersonic weapons, which are still not covered by any international treaty. Neither Kinzhalas, nor Zircons, nor their American counterparts are regulated by any existing agreement.
Therefore, Kyrychevsky concludes, the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, if signed in 2026, must necessarily cover hypersonic weapons.
Large-scale construction at Russia’s nuclear facilities according to Business Insider
Signs of active renewal of nuclear infrastructure point to several key trends:
- Increased security: triple fences, hidden entrances, reinforced ramps.
- Logistics infrastructure: new roads, railroad platforms, hangars.
- Standardization of facility architecture (e.g., the appearance of identical gray buildings).
Key sites where activity was recorded:
- Osipovichi, Belarus
- Suspected storage of tactical nuclear munitions.
- A special ammunition base with new infrastructure.
- The base with Iskander launchers has been significantly expanded.
- Gadzhievo, Murmansk region
- Mountain storage facility for nuclear weapons.
- A place where submarines are equipped with intercontinental missiles.
- 6 new facilities have been built, probably for maintenance or storage of missiles.
- Kaliningrad
- Possible tactical nuclear weapons storage facility.
- Nearby is the base of a special nuclear unit.
- One of the bunkers has been renovated, and a new guard building has been built.
- Kamchatka
- A storage facility for warheads of a possible new weapon – the Poseidon supertorpedo.
- Intensive security, bunkers and warehouses.
- Probable storage of warheads in mountainous areas in the north.
This is not just a technical update – it is a signal to the world,” Hans Christensen, Federation of American Scientists.
The expert on Russian nuclear weapons notes:
It is obvious that the missile storage facility is undergoing a large-scale expansion, – Pavlo Podvig, expert on Russian nuclear weapons.
Despite the loud statements and dramatic interpretations of satellite images, large-scale upgrades to Russia’s nuclear infrastructure are not always a sign of preparation for nuclear war. It is often a matter of imitation of force, performative gestures that have a psychological effect rather than strategic value. As Ivan Kyrychevsky explains, in the game of great powers, “nuclear alert” has become a tool of diplomacy and propaganda. But the beautiful facades of the “new” bases hide old missiles, broken-down airplanes, and a lack of resources, both in Russia and the United States. The real threat is not in the “bunkers” but in the lack of new international agreements that would take into account modern technologies, especially hypersonic weapons.
Author – Anastasia Fedor
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