Russia has begun mass-producing mobile nuclear war shelters amid rising fears that Vladimir Putin may initiate a nuclear conflict. This decision comes 1,000 days into the war with Ukraine. Read full article
On November 19, Putin amended Russia's nuclear doctrine, implying he could resort to nuclear action if Ukraine strikes Russian territory with NATO-provided weaponry. A recent attack using U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles on an ammunition depot in the Bryansk region was acknowledged by Russia's own defense ministry.
For the first time, Russia has initiated serial production of mobile nuclear shelters. These shelters are designed to protect against the radiation and fallout of a nuclear blast, according to the All-Russian Research Institute for Civil Defence and Emergencies. One of these models, the Kub-M, is produced in Dzerzhinsk—a city named after Felix Dzerzhinsky, the founder of the Soviet secret police.
The Kub-M mobile shelter, priced at £300,000, can be transported via road or rail, as reported by the Moscow Times. It can accommodate 54 individuals, and additional blocks can expand the capacity to 150 people. These shelters provide “reliable protection against air shock waves, explosions, debris, and chemical, toxic, or radioactive substances.” Once set up on a designated site, the Kub-M modules connect to local utilities. Without access to these utilities, the shelter can function autonomously for up to two days, thanks to systems like air filtration, backup water supply, sewage, and heating.
These mobile shelters are designed to shield civilians from all types of modern weaponry, including nuclear threats. However, their actual effectiveness remains uncertain.
In addition to the mobile shelters, Russia maintains a network of bunkers for top military and civilian leaders across the country, which spans 11 time zones. These mobile shelters, however, are far removed from Putin’s private, secure bunkers.
Putin is believed to have access to a newly established nuclear command center—an underground complex where he, his family, and top officials could potentially reside for years. This facility is reportedly located near Ufa, the capital of the Bashkortostan Republic, around 725 miles east of Moscow. Early in the conflict, former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is said to have operated from this command center under Putin’s directive.
Additionally, Putin’s network of luxurious palaces is rumored to contain hidden bunkers with VIP accommodations, providing secure living spaces for Russia's elite.