RENEWED SOVIET INTEREST IN MRBM/IRBM FORCES, USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05162A000400010121-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 14, 2011
• Sequence Number: 121
• Content Type: REPORT

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NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION CENTER
PHOTOGRAPHIC
I NTERPRETATION
REPORT
RENEWED SOVIET INTEREST IN
MRBM/IRBM FORCES, USSR
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RETURN TO ARCHIVES a RECORDS CENTER
IMF iEDIATEL AFTER USE
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(WNINTEL)
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Unauthorized Disclosure Subject to Criminal Sanctions
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Top Secret RUFF
RENEWED SOVIET INTEREST IN MRBM/IRBM FORCES, USSR
ABSTRACT
1. The Soviets have shown renewed interest in the MRBM/IRBM forces over the past three
years. This interest has been reflected through the increased and varied use of concealment and
deception, new building construction, the construction of protective earthen walls at both soft and
fixed-field sites, and revetment construction in the nuclear warhead storage areas at some of the
launch sites.
2. These changes to the previously consistent and patterned operation of the Soviet
MRBM/IRBM forces are discussed in this report; this report also includes a location map and an-
notated photographs.
INTRODUCTION
3. For the past ten years, the operational SS-4/5 missile sites along the USSR periphery have
been maintained with few major changes in either the operation or configuration of the sites (Figure
1). However, during the past three years, the Soviets have shown a renewed interest in these sites.
Recent activities have included the increased and varied use of canvas/netting for concealment,
identifiable attempts at deception, and protective earthen wall and revetment construction at soft
sites, fixed-field sites . Such activity has increased the dif-
ficulty of monitoring the previously consistent and patterned operational MRBM/IRBM forces. At
a minimum, Soviet efforts indicate an increased interest in concealment and deception (C and D),
and making these facilities more defensible.
4. Certainly a C and D program has to be considered as an explanation for some of the activity
observed at these sites during the past three years. Although the authority and scope of the Soviet
MRBM/IRBM C and D program are not fully known, that such a program exists, at least at some
Soviet Strategic Rocket Forces (SRF) regimental levels, can be inferred from the examples included
in this report.
PHOTOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
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I PAPLAKA w iJ ? ?
NIGRANDEE ?? ?A ??JELGAVA
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(FIXED-FIELD SITES NOT SHOWN)
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MRBM IRBM OTHER: MRBM & IRBM
? O Active soft site ^ Missile support facility
O O Inactive soft site 0 Training facility
? Q* Active hard site
* Inactive hard site
? Inactive MRBM
launch facility
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Earthen Wall and Revetment Construction
11. The construction of protective earthen walls, first observed at Yelsk MRBM Launch Site
1I
clude SS-4 fixed-field sites
Position 2~
Launcher Position 2
appears to have been expanded subsequently to in-
~, launch positions at Dyatlovo MRBM Launcher
Dyatlovo SSM Launcher Position 3 and Gresk SSM
were observed with earthen was around parts of one or more
launch positions. Since July, launch posit;nng At T,9nrA0'P SSM Launcher Position 2
and Lida SSM Launcher Position 1 have been observed with similar walls.
Position 2 ( nd Kozhanovichi SSM Launcher Position 3
and were seen in January 1974 nd April 1974 0 respectively. These complexes
were also among the first to have protective earthen walls built around the launch pads at the soft
SS-4 launch sites.
12. The earthen walls being constructed at the SS-4 fixed-field sites appear to be identical to
those at the SS-4/5 soft sites. These walls have now been observed at over 90 percent of the 116
currently operational, SS-4/5 soft sites, and it is anticipated that they will be built at more of the
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SS-4 fixed-field sites. The specific reason for the Soviet decision to construct these walls is still un-
known; however, possible explanations must include providing some physical protection against at-
tack and some degree of psychological reassurance to, the personnel manning the sites..
13. Beginning in October 1973, the Soviets also began constructing revetments at some of
their MRBM/IRBM nuclear warhead storage facilities (Figure 8). The revetments vary in' size,
shape, and disposition, and they appear to be for protection of vehicles and equipment usually
associated with the warhead unit. This construction is not as widespread as the earthen walls, and,
therefore, might be only a local modification. to the overall earthen wall construction program.
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