GRI 7950
Geographical Distribution of Russian Military Sites
Russian military installations are strategically dispersed across the vast expanse of the Russian Federation, with concentrations in the Western, Central, and Eastern Military Districts. Key sites are located near major urban centers such as Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as in proximity to critical borders, including those with NATO member states and in the Arctic region. The distribution reflects both traditional security concerns and emerging priorities, such as Arctic militarization and the protection of vital energy infrastructure.
Infrastructure Capabilities
Russian military sites exhibit a wide range of infrastructure capabilities, from advanced command and control centers equipped with hardened communications to extensive air defense networks. Major bases feature runways capable of supporting strategic bombers, armored vehicle storage, and maintenance facilities. Naval bases, such as those in Murmansk and Sevastopol, provide deep-water access and support for nuclear-powered vessels. Many installations are undergoing modernization, with upgrades to missile silos, radar arrays, and electronic warfare systems.
Strategic Missile Forces Installations
The Russian Strategic Missile Forces maintain a network of silo-based and mobile intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) sites, primarily located in remote regions such as Kozelsk, Tatishchevo, and Vypolzovo. These sites are designed for survivability, featuring hardened silos, extensive camouflage, and rapid-deployment capabilities for road-mobile launchers. Recent developments include the deployment of RS-24 Yars and Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles, enhancing both deterrence and first-strike potential.
Air Defense and Aerospace Facilities
Russia's integrated air defense network is anchored by sites equipped with S-400 and S-500 surface-to-air missile systems, particularly around Moscow, Kaliningrad, and the Southern Military District. Aerospace defense facilities include early warning radar stations, such as those at Armavir and Olenegorsk, which provide coverage against ballistic missile threats. These sites are interconnected via advanced command and control systems, facilitating rapid response to aerial incursions.
Naval Bases and Maritime Infrastructure
Major Russian naval bases are located in the Northern Fleet (Murmansk, Severomorsk), Black Sea Fleet (Sevastopol, Novorossiysk), Baltic Fleet (Baltiysk, Kronstadt), and Pacific Fleet (Vladivostok, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky) regions. These bases support a range of surface combatants, submarines—including ballistic missile submarines—and naval aviation assets. Infrastructure improvements since 2014 have focused on expanding dry dock capacity, enhancing anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities, and supporting Arctic operations.
Logistics and Support Facilities
Logistical hubs are distributed throughout Russia to ensure operational sustainability, with major depots in the Central and Southern Military Districts. These facilities manage the storage and distribution of fuel, munitions, and spare parts, and are often co-located with railheads and airfields to facilitate rapid mobilization. Recent exercises have highlighted improvements in logistical coordination, though vulnerabilities remain in long-distance supply chains, particularly under contested conditions.
Research, Development, and Testing Sites
Key research and testing facilities include the Kapustin Yar missile test range, Plesetsk Cosmodrome, and the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) near Moscow. These sites support the development and validation of advanced weaponry, including hypersonic systems, anti-satellite weapons, and next-generation armored vehicles. Security at these locations is stringent, with restricted access and robust counterintelligence measures.
Nuclear Weapons Storage and Security
Nuclear warheads are stored at a network of highly secure sites managed by the 12th Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defense. Facilities such as Mayak, Sarov, and Khabarovsk are equipped with multiple layers of physical security, electronic surveillance, and rapid response units. The exact locations and inventories are classified, but open-source analysis indicates ongoing investments in security upgrades and warhead maintenance.
Emerging Trends and Modernization Efforts
Russian military sites are the focus of sustained modernization, with emphasis on digital command networks, hardened infrastructure, and the integration of unmanned systems. The expansion of Arctic bases, such as those on Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya, underscores a strategic shift toward resource protection and northern route security. Additionally, the deployment of advanced air defense and missile systems at forward locations reflects a commitment to layered defense against both conventional and strategic threats.