Russia faces defence overhaul after massive document leak
Journalists have uncovered the leak of two million documents related to Russia's secret nuclear bases. This discovery could have serious implications for the country's security, potentially necessitating significant infrastructure changes.
What do you need to know?
- Journalists from Danwatch and "Der Spiegel" have revealed the leak of two million documents concerning Russia's secret nuclear bases.
- The documents detail a major modernization of military infrastructure, including the construction of new barracks, guard towers, and underground tunnels.
- Experts suggest the leak could expose vulnerabilities, forcing Russia into expensive reconstructions of its bases.
Journalists from the investigative portal Danwatch and the newspaper "Der Spiegel" have obtained two million Russian documents related to the country's secret nuclear bases. These documents include detailed plans for the construction and modernization of the base in Yasny, where the Avangard hypersonic glide missile has been stationed since 2019. The documents also reveal data about security systems, the placement of cameras and sensors, and infrastructure details such as underground tunnels and weapons rooms.
— If you can understand how the electricity is conducted or where the water comes from, and you can see how the different things are connected in the systems, then you can identify strengths and weaknesses and find a weak point to attack, — says Philip Ingram, a former colonel and commander of the British Army's 1st Military Intelligence Battalion.
Tom Roset from the Norwegian Staff College adds that Western intelligence services are closely monitoring the modernization of Russian nuclear forces, which may influence their defensive strategy.
Will Russia respond to the leak?
The Russian Ministry of Defence has yet to comment on the matter, but experts predict the data leak may compel Russia to reconstruct its bases. Altering the infrastructure in these facilities will be costly, which could impact the country's defence budget. The State Duma had previously tightened public procurement regulations for the military, yet it appears this did not prevent the leak.
