(C) URBAN INTELLIGENCE BRIEF KURGAN, U.S.S.R.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05439A000500320050-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 11, 2004
• Sequence Number: 50
• Publication Date: August 1, 1965
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved For Release 2004/07/07 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000500320050-0
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Exempt
Approved For Release 2004/07/07 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000500320050-0
 Approved For Release 2004./07/07': CIA-RDP78T05439A0005Os--0
SAO/AP-1- 330 -14-65- INT COPY
DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
DIA REVIEW
COMPLETED
AUGUST 1965
TOP SECRET
Approved For Release 2004/07/07 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000500320050-0
(C) URBAN INTELLIGENCE BRIEF
KURGAN, U.S.S.R.
 water supply; this dam has not been positively identified, but it may be co-
located with a bridge (see mosaic, numbered item 27). The growing water
demands in Kurgan are believed to be now satisfactorily met for developing its
industrial production and for improving living conditions.'
Sewage disposal: A municipal sewage system was reportedly.put into operation
in 1959. Details on the extent of?service or type of facilities provided are
not currently available.
Hospitals: Hospitals include a city, hospital_ wi.th_a 175,ybe
TOP SECRET
PREFACE
The Urban Intelligence Brief is a concise digest 'of
"all-source intelligence required for strategic and
high-level operational planning. It is designed to
provide consumers with intelligence'that cannot be
sanitized for use in collateral urban area studies.
The brief provides all-source intelligence annota-
tions keyed to a mosaic of [photography, 25X1
data on vegetation, functions divisions, and building
density of the urban area are provided by small inset
maps. Aspects of the urban area that are not readily .4
apparent on the mosaic are highlighted in the summary-
type narrative. ?_
I. PHYSICAL ASPECTS
Location: Kurgan is located on the east side of the Ural Mountains in western
Siberia,.255 kilometers east of Chelyabinsk and 361 kilometers southeast of
Sverdlovsk.
Geographic orientation: Kurgan is' situated at the northern edge of the fer-
tile, wooded steppes of western-Siberia on a flat, poorly drained flood plain
and low terraces of the Tobol River. The site has an elevation of approxi-
mately 79 meters, and the gently sloping terraces along the eastern edge of
the flood plain range in-elevation from 76 to 100 meters. Local. permanent
marshes contain peat deposits 1 to 2 meters thick. Soils in the flood plain
are subject to annual inundation and are saturated most of the year. The
water table remains within a few meters-of the surface except in late sunane'
and-fallwhen drying occurs to several meters. The city is underlain by 20 to
30 meters of interbedded and interlensed alluvial deposits of sand and clay
with some lenses and beds of, gravel. Below these deposits lie about-50 meters
of unconsolidated and poorly consolidated sediments of clay and sand. Vegeta-
tion near the city consists of grasses, shrubs, and some cultivation; forests
of pine, birch, and aspen occur in the surrounding areas.
Climate: Long, dry, severe winters and hot,. dry summers are characteristic.
The coldest month (February) has a mean minimum temperature of -12.3?F.; the
warmest month (July) has a mean maximum temperature of 79.1?F. The average
annual precipitation is approximately 31 centimeters, two-thirds of which
falls from May through September. Mean dates for the formation and dis-
appearance of stable snow cover are 11 November and 11 April, respectively.
II. SIGNIFICANCE
_Kurgan is of primary importance-as a growing industrial city with a diversi
-fied economic base. The main industrial output is in the fields of machine
building, motor vehicles, and chemicals. The gross industrial output has
reportedly increased 50% in the past 3 years. Products manufactured in
Kurgan are not only used throughout the U.S.S.R., but are also exported to
Bloc and non-Bloc countries; such exports have reportedly increased 700%
in the past 8'years. One of the largest, if not the largest, bus assembly
plant in the U.S.S.R. is located here. Other fields of national signifi-
cance are in the construction of road machinery, heavy farm implements, '-'
chemical equipment, woodworking machines and grain elevator equipment. Kurgan
is also the capital of Kurganskaya Oblast'. This rapidly developing urban
area has shown a growth in population from approximately 53,000 in 1939 to an
estimated total of 200,000 in-1964.
III. UTILITIES,, SERVICES, FACILITIES
Water supply: Water is believed to be provided both from the Tobol River and
a reservoir west of the city. The filtration plant located, on the north bank
of the river in the southern part of Kurgan probably supplies at least part of
'the town through distribution lines. A dam has reportedly been'_constructed
Approved For Release 2004/07/07 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000500320050-0
 IQppr9 llF@C-BMgase 2004/07/07 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000500320050-0
Kur-gan is of primary importance as a growing industrial city with a diversi
fied economic base. The main industrial output is in-the fields of machine
building, motor vehicles, and chemicals.. The gross industrial output has
reportedly increased 50% in the past 3 years. Products manufactured in
Kurgan are not only used throughout the U.S.S.R.,?but are also exported to
Bloc and non-Bloc countries; such -exports have reportedly increased 700%
in. the past 8 years. One of the largest,. if not the largest, bus assembly
plant in the U.S.S.R. is located here. Other fields of national signifj_-~'
cance are in the construction of road machinery, heavy farm implements,' ..
chemical equipment, woodworking machines and grain elevator equipment. Kurgan
is also the capital of Kurganskaya Oblast'. This rapidly developing urban
area has shown a growth in population from approximately 53,000 in 1939 to an
estimated total of 200,000 in 1964.
III. UTILITIES, SERVICES, FACILITIES
Water supply: Water is believed to be provided both from the Tobol River and
a reservoir west of the city. The filtration plant located on the north bank
of the river in the southern part of Kurgan probably supplies at least part of
the town through distribution lines. A dam has reportedly been constructed
across the Tobol River to raise its water level, and therefore increase the
water supply; this dam has not been positively. identified, but it may be co-
located with a bridge (see mosaic, numbered item-27). The growing water
demands in Kurgan are believed to be now satisfactorily met for developing its
industrial production and for improving living conditions.
Sewage disposal: A municipal sewage system was reportedly put into operation
in 1959. Details on the extent of service or type of facilities provided are
not currently available.
Hospitals: Hospitals include a- city' hospital with a 175-bed capacity, an
Oblast' hospital with a bed capacity of 230, an anti-tuberculosis dispensary
with 200 beds, a children's hospital with.?100 beds, and a hospital for-rail-
road workers (exact locations of these facilities are undetermined). Other
hospitals undoubtedly exist since Kurgan.is the capital of the Oblast'. The
city has a medical school, and there are reportedly about 500 doctors'and
3,000 other medical workers in the city. The larger. industries probably con-
tain at least some dispensary facilities, if-not hospitals.
Electric power: Electric power for the urban-area is believed to be ade-
quately met by the Kurgan Thermal Powerplant with an estimated capacity of
300,000 kilowatts, and a small thermal plant with an estimated capacity of
5,000 kilowatts.
Gas: A gas pipeline system has-been reported under construction which will
supply housing areas, but the source, type of gas, and proposed extent of the
system are not presently known.
Telecommunications: Kurgan has telecommunication facilities which include
telegraph, television, and broadcasting stations, a military weather report-
ing station, automatic telephone exchange, and a total estimated number of
four Civil Air radio transmitters. Landline?communications consist of 18-
channel cable connections with Moscow and Novosibirsk, and open-wire connec-
tions with Moscow, Vladivostok, and Peski. Telephotographic_ communications
are also available with' Moscow.- A TVitower is reported in the eastern part
of the city, but it cannot be identified at present; in the?future this
tower is to become an integral part of a radio-relay link reported-under
construction from Sverdlovsk to Kurgan.
Internal and external communications:
Internal: Public transportation is provided by a bus system with at least
185 buses in service. The first three trolleybus'routes were under con-
struction in 1964; the proposed extent of this system is not'now known.
Taxi services are also available.
External: Railroad - Kurgan is'on the electrified double-track railroad
.between Chelyabinsk and Petropavlovsk, and has a single-track connection via
Shadrinsk to Sverdlovsk. Yard facilities located alongside the double-track
railroad through the urban area include a forwarding'and receiving yard (5
tracks), sorting yard (10 tracks), and a repair yard (12 tracks); there are
-also 5 or 6 railway repair shops in the area. Highway -Four highways
radiate 'from the urban area, connecting with Chelyabinsk, Shadrinsk, Petro-
pavlovsk, and Zverinogolovskoye. Airline - Kurgan is on a scheduled
(daily, each way) civilair route between Alma-Ata~and Sverdlovsk, as well
on the Chelyabinsk - Tomsk and Moscow - Tomsk scheduled (three-times
weekly, each -way) routes. Kurgan also has intra-oblast' flights, sched-
uled and non-scheduled, connecting it with its various 'rayons. Inland
waterway - Since the construction of a reported dam on the Tobol River, it
is now supposed to be navigable for a distance of 90'kilometers upstream.
Pipeline -.Pipelines in the area include .a. petroleum products line from
Urbakh to Kurgan'and then probably on to Atbasar.
Approved For..Release 2004/07/07 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000500320050-0
 Storage: Kurgan is a State Reserve Storage Base for three categories of
products (grain, food, and miscellaneous materials), and storage facilities
are considerably more extensive than for the city itself. Commercial and
industrial warehouse storage in Kurgan is also extensive. A cold storage
facility witha capacity of 2,300 tons has been reported in the Kurgan area,
but it.has not been identified. Capacity of the military warehouses is un-
determined, but known to-be limited. POL storage of undetermined capacity is
located at Kurgan Airfield, and a small storage area with 18 tanks (total
estimated capacity 37,000 barrels) has been-identified in the east-central
Billeting: A possible military barracks of undetermined capacity is located
at the western edge of Kurgan. ?
IV. INDUSTRY
Kurgan has a diversified industrial base and several industries of national
importance. Many of the industrial installations are relatively new, while
some of the older, plants have been expanded. Identification of the products
manufactured at several industries shown on the mosaic cannot be,made due to
an absence of corroborating information; however, available photography
leaves no doubt that a large industrial complex is developing. Exports of
machinery and machine equipment 'to foreign countries, Bloc and non-Bloc, has
reportedly increased 700% in the'last 8 years. The Kurgan Bus Assembly Plant
has only been in operation for approximately 8 years, but it has a current
.annual output of 6,500 buses and is one of. the largest, if not the largest,
industries of its kind in the U.S.S.R. -This plant has also turned out special
vehicles of a type used for seismic surveys of geological prospects. Other
industrial plants-of national prominence include the Kurgan Agricultural
Machinery Plant (heavy farm implements), the Kurgan Road Machinery Plant (a
manufacturer of seven different types of road construction and maintenance
machines), a woodworking machine tool plant (lathes, joiners, markers, etc.),
the Kurgan Chemical Machine Building Plant, and the Kurgan Elevator Equipment
Plant-(machinery for grain elevators and grain receiving points). Much of the
.current production of equipment for grain elevators is shipped to virgin lands
in northern Kazakhstan. The Kurgan Medical Preparations Plant is a producer.
of antibiotics for poultry and livestock. A motor vehicle repair works
capable of handling l,500 vehicles yearly has reportedly gone into service.
Kurgan is also reported a principal producer of prefabricated concrete con-
struction materials; the Kurgan Construction Parts Combine which consists of-
ferroconcrete, -cellular concrete, and wood processing plants, may be a large
..contributor to the city's prominence for such materials. The Kurgan Elec
trical Engineering Plant. manufactures transformers and fittings; it is re-
ported to have started production'of a prototype prefabricated transformer
substation with a, capacity of 100 - 1,000 kilowatts. Industries of local
significance in the urban area manufacture or process mostly consumer goods
such as felt boots, furniture, leather, and flour. -
V. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND-OTHER FACILITIES
Kurgan has an estimated total of 40 educational facilities- Of these, there
are specialized schools for medicine, agriculture, machine building, railways,
and trade.. ?
VI. MILITARY ASPECTS.
Military facilities identified include a possible barracks area, a weather
station, and warehouses..
Approved For Release, 2004/07/07 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000500320050-0
 DaYrn.r Ime lligvncr Agency. Praductia,n Center
Defence lntelltgetce Agent,. Lial.on Field
Detachment. Lmdon
Defense Sensor Iteetpretation and Applications
Training Program
National Security Agency
U L S COMMUNES
C mander to Chief. Atlantic C -d
Comnfaoder in Chief. European Command
Commander In Chief. Strategic Air Command
Commander In Chief. STRIKE Command
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Aaaistata Chrrf of Staff for lmettigence
Foreign Science and Technology Center
U. S. Army. Europe
Commanding Creel. X\TD Airborne Corps
Army Map Service
area, a weather
DEPARTMENT OF THE. NAVY
4 Director of . viii Intrlltga ncr. Oil iii of
3 'hr Cltictuf Naval O{.crat uins
L'. S. Naval Scientific and Tcchnt, al Inn-ll igcnce Center
U. S. Naval Rrcnttnat.saner anti Tachntcal Scp{.'rt
Center.
Fleet inielltgencr Center. F.-re
Atlantic Intelligence Center
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
1 Assistat4 Chid of Staff. Intelligence
I Air Force Technical Applications Critter
2 Foreign Technology Division
1 _ Acrona cal Chart and Information C -r
U. S..Air Force. Europe
2 OTHER
I Departmets of State
1 Central Intelligence Agency
al Natiomi Atotngraphic InterprctaHnn Cent-
3
AppFued F iergfta ss gOiB4k(WOr7anG DPWST 3MgbL0tings; it is re-
ported to have started production of a prototype prefabricated transformer
substation with a capacity of 100.- 1,000 kilowatts. Industries of local
significance in the urban area manufacture or process mostly consumer goods
such as felt boots, furniture, leather, and flour.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER FACILITIES
V
.
Kurgan has an estimated total of 40 educational facilities. Of these, there
are specialized schools. for medicine, agriculture, machine building, railways,
and trade.
VI. MILITARY ASPECTS -
Military facilities identified include a possible barracks
station, and warehouses.
25X1 D
Approved For Release 2004/07/07 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000500320050-0
 Approved For Release 2004/07/07 :_ CIA-RDP78TO5439A000500320050-0
 Approved For Release 2004/07/07 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000500320050-0