Russia taps Western tech to revamp nuclear infrastructure
Russia is modernizing its nuclear bases using Western technologies. Journalists from Denmark and Germany have uncovered details about the use of parts from other countries. The publication is based on the analysis of two million pages from military tenders in Russia, which investigative reporters accessed through Russian, Belarusian, and Kazakh servers.
What do you need to know?
- Journalists from the Danish portal Danwatch and the German newspaper "Der Spiegel" revealed that Russia is using Western parts to modernize its nuclear bases.
- Media from Germany and Denmark gained access to this information through Russian, Belarusian, and Kazakh servers.
- Despite the sale of Russian shares, parts originating from Western equipment can still be used in Russian military facilities.
What technologies is Russia using?
Journalists from Danwatch and "Der Spiegel" discovered that Russia is using Western technologies in its nuclear bases. Among them are valves and pumps originating from Denmark. The tender documents that were analyzed reveal that the modernization includes the construction of new facilities and the rebuilding of old bases from scratch.
The Danwatch portal found detailed plans for the construction and modernization of a base near the town of Jasny among millions of documents. Since 2019, the hypersonic glide missile Avangard has been stored there.
Are Western companies involved?
The tender documentation included information about using parts from Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Companies such as Danfoss and Grundfos deny that their products are used in military facilities, claiming they have not violated sanctions. Nevertheless, their parts may be used in the modernization of Russian bases.
"The documents reveal how, alongside the development of weapon systems throughout Russia, entirely new facilities were built; old bases were razed and rebuilt from scratch," the publication emphasized. The media also report that "hundreds of new barracks, guard towers, control centres, and storage buildings were erected, and kilometres of underground tunnels were dug."
What are the potential threats?
Experts warn that revealing such detailed information could harm Russia. The new nuclear weapon bases may become more vulnerable to attacks. The documents contain details about security systems, which could pose a threat to the safety of these facilities.
