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Russia Quietly Upgrades Nuclear Missile Silos Near Kazakh Border, Leaked Documents Reveal

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Photo of Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
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Russia Quietly Upgrades Nuclear Missile Silos Near Kazakh Border, Leaked Documents Reveal
Illustrative image. A disarmed RT-23/SS-24 missile silo with an intercontinental ballistic missile in the Museum of Strategic Missile Forces, in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, on July 3, 2024. (Source: Getty Images)

Russia is quietly carrying out a modernization of its nuclear missile infrastructure near the Kazakh border, according to leaked classified documents and satellite imagery analyzed by Danish investigative group Danwatch and Germany’s Der Spiegel on May 28.

The revelations focus on extensive upgrades at silo complexes in the Orenburg region, particularly near the city of Yasny, where Russia’s 621st and 368th Missile Regiments are stationed. Both regiments are equipped with the Avangard strategic nuclear missile system, a hypersonic weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

The leaked documents—part of a cache of more than two million files—include detailed architectural plans, internal layouts, and procurement records for new military installations. Much of this sensitive material was inadvertently published on Russia’s public government procurement portals, a practice that continued for years despite a 2020 shift to a classified tender system for military contracts.

Russian 368th Missile Regiment base in 2009. (Source: Danwatch)
Russian 368th Missile Regiment base in 2009. (Source: Danwatch)
Russian 368th Missile Regiment base in 2024. (Source: Danwatch)
Russian 368th Missile Regiment base in 2024. (Source: Danwatch)

“These bases were essentially rebuilt from scratch,” Danwatch reported. “Hundreds of new barracks, watchtowers, control centers, and warehouses were erected. Kilometers of underground tunnels were dug.”

Satellite images support this account, showing new roads, blast-resistant buildings, and reinforced security infrastructure. Construction supply records confirm the delivery of large volumes of steel, cement, sand, bricks, and insulation materials, suggesting massive ongoing investment.

According to Danwach, many of these materials—including cement, adhesives, insulation, and soundproofing—were imported from Western suppliers, most notably the German firm Knauf, despite international sanctions.

Russian 621th Missile Regiment base in 2009. (Source: Danwatch)
Russian 621th Missile Regiment base in 2009. (Source: Danwatch)
Russian 621th Missile Regiment base in 2009. (Source: Danwatch)
Russian 621th Missile Regiment base in 2009. (Source: Danwatch)

The leaked blueprints also expose critical security features, including:

  • Triple-layered electrified perimeter fencing

  • Reinforced concrete buildings with blast-resistant windows and doors

  • Infrared motion detectors, seismic and radiation sensors

  • Internal surveillance camera placements

  • Detailed interior layouts identifying weapons lockers, underground tunnels, and even signage locations inside buildings

Norwegian military expert Tom Røseth told journalists the documents offer undeniable proof of Russia’s nuclear modernization efforts. He added that Moscow will likely be forced to alter some of these facilities to mitigate the risks posed by the leak—a process that will be both time-consuming and costly.

Since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has repeatedly brandished its nuclear arsenal as a form of deterrence. Western intelligence has indicated that Russian leadership seriously considered using tactical nuclear weapons during their retreat from the Kherson region in 2022.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has consistently emphasized nuclear weapons modernization, declaring in October 2024 that Russia would continue developing its strategic deterrence forces and upgrade its Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN) with new fixed and mobile systems.

Earlier, Russia formed assault units composed of personnel from its Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN).

According to the findings, the Russian command has already deployed these units in the Toretsk sector of eastern Ukraine.

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