The findings were reported by Business Insider based on images captured by Planet Labs in May and June. According to leading experts on russia’s nuclear forces, the photos show ongoing construction, new infrastructure, and rapid expansion at certain locations.
Analysts suggest this modernization reflects russia’s strategic planning concerning its nuclear capabilities, especially against the backdrop of its war against Ukraine and escalating confrontation with NATO.
Read more: How Many Nuclear Warheads Does russia Have for Its Tu-22M3, Tu-95MS, Tu-160 Bombers and Which of Them Could Reach the U.S.?
Key Sites Identified
1. Osipovichi, Belarus
The first facility is located near Osipovichi in Belarus, home to the 1405th ammunition base. Analysts believe substantial work has been undertaken to build new nuclear storage infrastructure there. By May 2025, a newly secured facility with enhanced perimeter fencing had appeared in the northern section of the base.
Hans Kristensen, Director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, noted that the perimeter now features three layers of fencing, with the central layer reinforced. A covered unloading ramp hidden among trees likely leads to a warhead storage bunker. Satellite imagery also reveals a large orange antenna, probably for command and control functions.
Kristensen believes the site is prepared for rail deliveries of nuclear warheads, evidenced by a road and loading platform linked to a railway line. Additionally, another facility within Osipovichi is thought to house Iskander missile systems.
2. Gadzhiyevo, Murmansk Region
The second site is at Gadzhiyevo, a naval base in Murmansk where russia’s nuclear-armed submarines are stationed. Previous satellite images confirmed the presence of nuclear warheads. By late May 2025, at least six new buildings had been added. Analysts suggest these could serve as storage for conventional missiles or those awaiting nuclear payloads.
3. Kaliningrad Region
In Kaliningrad, bordering Poland and Lithuania, satellite images identified a fortified nuclear storage site believed to hold tactical nuclear munitions. Nearby, about five kilometers southeast, lies a base for a specialized nuclear unit. By mid-2025, satellite images revealed further security upgrades and the construction of additional infrastructure.
4. Kamchatka Peninsula
A fourth site has been identified on the Kamchatka Peninsula, where nuclear warheads are thought to be stored. A reinforced security perimeter and new buildings point to the site’s importance within russia’s nuclear infrastructure. Recent satellite images show ongoing construction, including two new structures near the storage facilities.
5. Novaya Zemlya Archipelago
The fifth site is located on Novaya Zemlya, historically known for nuclear testing. Since August 2023, this site has undergone major expansion, including the construction of a large building now completed as of June 2025. Analysts also observed signs of new tunnel development near the base’s support infrastructure.
Read more: U.S. Intel: russia Fields New Nuclear Air-to-Air Missiles
