AN EVALUATION OF THE FETISOVO AREA, USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05694A000300010020-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 7, 2001
• Sequence Number: 20
• Publication Date: November 9, 1956
• Content Type: IM

ase 2Q IA-RDP78T05694A000300010020-3
PHOTOGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
AN 3VALUUATION OF V E FETISOVO ARI aA i tT$SR
November 9, 1956 A'JTH: H;,
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND REPORTS
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Declass Review by
NIMA/DOD
DOCUME;n?O.
OP/I.221-., y~ j 4 ,:
 Approved For Release 2001/08/13 VC -RE T8T05694A000300010020-3
WARNING
This material contains information affecting
the National Defense of the United States
within the meaning of the espionage laws,
Title 18, USC, Secs. 793 and 794, the trans-
mission or revelation of which in any manner
to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
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 Approved For Release 29 8/~1,E:TCIA-RDP78T05694A000300010020-3
AN EVALUATION OF THE FETTSOVO AR A, USSR
This memorandum is in response to an internal request to evaluate
and revise maps of selected area covered by 'tGenetrix" photography
in the USSR. Small scale "Genetrix'I photography covers approximately
5,00U square miles extending from the eastern shore of the Caspian
Sea in the vicinity of Fetisovo (4204,51N-520371E) to Bu saga Ot3?22' N-
54 32 1E). The small scale aid poor quality of the photography
precludes detailed analysis of the area..
Only major physical features
and the largest and most conspicuous cultural features are discernible
on the photographic coverage.
The most noticeable difference between the photography and map
evaluated in this report (USAF Pilotage Chart,
326A) was in the
location of escarpments, salt lakes, sand dung areas, and visible
roads. (see attached xraap overlay)
The entire area is composed almost entirely of horizontally
bedded sedimentary formations, with little or no soil mantle,
apparently little or no vegetation and interior drainage. There
are tb3o largo salt lakes occupying interior basin,.
The Kosa Ada. (a spit) and Zaliv Kinderli (bay formed by the spit)
are the two most conspicuous coastal features in the area. The
Zai.iv }:inderli was comp_1_c t;ely covered by ice in the
photo coverage.
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The ocean terrace extends back to a steep wave-cut cliff that
parallels the shore from 250 feet to 8.,000 feet inland. The cliff
appears most pronounced to the south.
The Vpadina Maundy is an interior structural depression occupied
in part by an irregular shaped salt lake. The basin is defined by a.
cliff escarpment on every side but the northwest.
The area between ,53? and 55? E has the appearance of a low
plateau with an undulating surface characterized by the outcropping
of horizontal sedimentary layers, irregular drainage pattern, scat-
tered small dry lake beds and little or no vegetation. Probable
roads are indicated by dashed lines.
An escarpment extends to the south-southeast and to the north-
west from Besoky (43?201N-53?38tE). East of the escarpment is a
broad lowland area with plateau remnants, extensive sand dune areas,
and tilted sedimentary rocks locally forming an occasional irregu-
lar linear A salt lake approximately 1U miles by 4 miles
occupies a depression immediately north of Saykuduk (43?1O'N-54?I0'E').
A road extends from i3esoky to Sayku.duk and to Busaga,.
An irregular escarpment outlines the eastern edge of the basin
and the adjoining upland area, a part of the Ust'-Urt Plateau,
which extends far to the south and east. This upland area. apparently
has a soil rrta.ntle, little vegetation other than grass, and poorly
defined drainage patterns.
-2-
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SECRET
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Habitation in the area appeared sparse. The small scale and
poor quality of phtography prevented more detailed analysis of
cultural features.
USAF Pilotage Chart 326A
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SECRET
 SECRET
CIA INTERNAL USE ONLY
SPECIAL HANDLING
COVERAGE
APH+
AEHIac
Ex1 ER'
MAP CORRECTION OVERLAY
FETISOVO AREA, USSR
42?35'N 52.25'E TO 43.20-N 54.45-E
CIA INTERNAL USE ONLY
SPECIAL HANDLING
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.... ..I
cal
AERIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL
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