YOSHKAR-OLA ICBM COMPLEX USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T04759A007300010005-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 7, 2001
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: September 1, 1967
• Content Type: REPORT

An
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PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION REPORT
YOSHKAR-OLA
ICBM COMPLEX
USSR
TCS-80505/67
SEPTEMBER 1967
COPY116
6 PAGES
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This document contains Information affecting the national security of the United States within the meaning
of the espionage laws U. S. Code Title 18, Sections 793 and 794. The low prohibits its transmission or
the revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person, as well as its use in any manner
prejudicial to the safety or interest of the United States or for the benefit of any foreign government to the
detriment of the United States. It is to be seen only by personnel especially indoctrinated and authorized
to receive Information in the designated control channels. Its security must be maintained in accordance
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PREFACE
This report, prepared in response to CIA requirements C-D15-82,972 and
C-D17-84,251 requesting detailed line drawings, to scale, of elements of the com-
plex, updates and supersedes TCS-80898/66, Yoshkar-Ola ICBM Complex, USSR. 1/
The information contained herein is based on KEYHOLE photography through
ndividual reports will be updated periodically to re-
ect changes observed on subsequent photography.
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YOSHKAR-OLA ICBM COMPLEX, USSR
The Yoshkar-Ola ICBM Complex (Figure 1) is in the southeastern part of
the Forest Zone, in the European USSR. The complex support facility is 6.0 nm
southeast of the city of Yoshkar-Ola, capital of the Mariyskaya ASSR, and a
manufacturing and agricultural-processing center about 400 nm east-northeast of
Moskva. The complex is small, containing only 6 soft sites, 3. Type IIB and
3 Type IID. The sites are laid out along both sides of the complex main road
which runs east and west. The complex support facility is at the west end,
with the transfer point slightly over 1.0 nm to the east on the south side of
the complex main road. The launch sites extend about 15 nm to the east.
The complex is deployed in a heavily forested area in flat terrain with
relatively few drains. A small river flows through the center of the complex in
a general southerly direction toward the Volga river. The complex is about
450 feet above sea level, with less than 100 feet differential over the entire
complex. Relative relief in the area of the launch sites is inconsequential.
The numerous small villages scattered throughout the area are probably de-
pendent on logging and agriculture for their livelihood.
Weather in this region is generally gloomy. Precipitation usually falls every
second or third day in all seasons. Winters are cold, with frequent snowfall,
and summers are moderately warm, with light breezes, recurrent cold spells,
and frequent fogs.. Temperature extremes for the 12-month period vary from
96? to -39? F. Persistent snow cover usually begins about mid-October and
remains until about mid-April. Cloud cover varies from a high of 75 percent
during late fall and early winter to about 20 percent in the summer months.
During the spring thaw, the flat terrain prevents a quick run-off of water,
causing the region to become a sea of mud with unsurfaced roads impassable.
The complex support facility and rail-to-road transfer point are both served
by a spur from the single-track rail line that runs from Zelenodolsk on the
Volga, through the city of Yoshkar-Ola, to a large ammunition storage area
northwest of the city. Towns and villages in the region are joined by a net-
work of local roads but few, if any, have all-weather capabilities. Within the
complex, the well-engineered complex main road system was constructed con-
current with the launch sites.
The Yoshkar-Ola Complex was one of the first ICBM complexes to be
identified in the Soviet Union; however, its starting date was subsequent to
several other complexes that were identified at later dates. It was first ob-
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25X1 D served in - when the complex support facility and a Type IIB launch
site were under construction. Initial grading and layout of the complex support
facility had apparently been completed when it was first observed. The roads
and rail spurs were in use but few buildings were present. Construction for the 25X1 D
facility had probably been initiated about At the launch site,
grading for roads, pads, and buildings appeared complete but poor interpreta- 25X1 D
bility prevented a more detailed analysis. Construction for the site probably
25X1 D started about -
A second Type IIB launch site was initiated in 4
more launch sites were started, another Type IIB site in - and 3 Type
25X1 D III) sites during All 6 sites were complete by -
and there have been no significant changes since that time. The complex has
always shown a steady level of activity. Missiles and missile exercises are
frequently observed at the various launch sites, and vehicular traffic is usually
apparent along the roads.
This complex will, no doubt, remain active for at least 2 or 3 more years.
After that, its position in the pattern of Soviet ICBM complexes would be hard
to predict. To date, there has never been any large-scale dismantling of com-
plex facilities. Some buildings have been removed but others have been built.
There is ample space for additional site deployment around the complex. The
outlay for the support facilities and the permanent appearance of these facili-
ties infer that they were built with a view to long-term service. This would
indicate that this complex will remain active in the foreseeable future and
could support a follow-on missile system.
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AIRFIELD
SEMENOVKA
COMPLEX
SUPPORT FACILITY
r7
1
^ ^2
RAIL-TO-ROAD
TRANSFER POINT
^
4
TOP SECRET RUFF
^
0
Railroad
Road
Complex road network
Type II launch site
11 ^3
TOP SECRET RUFF
Complex Support Facility --
Launch Site 1 IIB
Launch Site 2 IIB
Launch Site 3 IIB
Launch Site 4 IID
Launch Site 5 IID
Launch Site 6 IID
TCS-80505/67
56-33N 48-OlE
56-35N 48-09E
56-34N 48-17E
56-31N 48-27E
56-30N 48-19E
56-33N 48-12E
56-36N 48-28E
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DOCUMENTS
NPIC. TCS-80898/66, roshkar-Ola ICBM Complex, USSR, Sep 66 (TOP SECRET RUFF)
REQUIREMENTS
CIA. C-DI5-82,972
CIA. C-D17-84,251
NPIC PROJECT
11210/66 (partial answer)
TOP SECRET RUFF
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