820th Missile Attack Warning Main Center
Location Analysis
The Russian missile attack warning and space surveillance infrastructure is dispersed across multiple strategic locations, with a central command presence in Moscow Oblast (Solnechnogorsk-7), and a network of early warning radar sites distributed throughout the Russian Federation. Key radar installations are situated to provide comprehensive coverage against potential missile threats, with sites in both western and eastern regions, including Voronezh, Olenegorsk, Lekhtusi, Pechora, and Kaliningrad. This geographic distribution ensures overlapping radar fields of view, enhancing detection reliability and minimizing blind spots.
Infrastructure Capabilities
The network comprises advanced radar systems such as the 77Ya6 Voronezh-M, Voronezh-DM, Voronezh-VP, 5N86M Dnepr-M, 90N6 Daryal-U, and 70M6 Volga. These radars are capable of early detection of ballistic missile launches at ranges exceeding 4,000 km, with phased-array technology enabling rapid target acquisition and tracking. The infrastructure is supported by command posts and communications centers, including the 820th Missile Attack Warning Main Center and the Unified Space Detection and Combat Control System command posts, which coordinate data integration and response protocols.
Command and Control Structure
The command hierarchy is centralized at the 820th Missile Attack Warning Main Center (military unit 26302), which oversees subordinate radar and communications units. The system is further divided into Western and Eastern Command Posts (military units 03340 and 20117, respectively), each responsible for regional operational control. Reserve and backup command posts, such as the 1383rd Reserve Missile Attack Warning System Command Post (military unit 17204), ensure continuity of operations in the event of primary site degradation or destruction.
Technological Modernization
The Russian early warning network has undergone significant modernization since the early 2000s, with legacy Dnepr and Daryal radars being gradually replaced or supplemented by the Voronezh family of radars. Voronezh radars are modular, energy-efficient, and capable of rapid deployment and maintenance. This modernization enhances detection accuracy, reduces operational costs, and improves resilience against electronic and physical attacks.
Space Surveillance and Reconnaissance
In addition to missile warning, the network incorporates space surveillance capabilities. The Radio-Optical Unit 'Krona' (military unit 20096) specializes in the detection and tracking of objects in outer space, supporting both military and dual-use applications. These assets contribute to Russia's situational awareness in space, enabling the monitoring of satellites, space debris, and potential anti-satellite threats.
Communications and Data Integration
The 487th Communications and Information Transfer Center (military unit 13626) and related units provide secure, redundant communications links between radar sites, command posts, and higher echelons. Data from multiple sensors is fused in real time, supporting rapid threat assessment and decision-making. The system is designed for high survivability, with multiple transmission paths and hardened infrastructure to resist jamming and kinetic attacks.
Strategic Significance
The Russian missile attack warning and space surveillance network forms a critical component of national strategic deterrence. It provides early warning of intercontinental and submarine-launched ballistic missile attacks, enabling timely activation of defensive measures and strategic response options. The system's redundancy, modernization, and integration with space surveillance assets underscore its importance in Russia's overall defense posture.