Nuclear weapons of the great powers

Millions of documents about Putin's nuclear weapons leaked: "Unprecedented"

Putin's military bases and nuclear weapons have been expanded and modernized over the past decade, and millions of leaked documents show sensitive details and information that Russia wants to keep hidden. This is shown by a review by Danwatch and Der Spiegel.

Previously, researchers have only been able to follow the nuclear weapons buildup via satellite images, but through an open database, hundreds of detailed floor plans of Putin's new bases have been studied.

The documents show everything from the bases' security systems, weapons lockers and underground tunnels to the games the soldiers play to pass the time.

- With these unique drawings, we can now, for the first time, get completely inside and underground. It is unprecedented, says Hans M Kristensen, who is one of the world's leading experts on nuclear weapons, to Danwatch.

Western companies supply materials to Russian nuclear bases

Russia is expanding its nuclear bases with the help of materials from Western companies. This is shown by documents that Der Spiegel and Danwatch have reviewed.

In the city of Yasnyj, near the border with Kazakhstan, several military facilities belonging to the Russian nuclear forces have been modernized and expanded significantly.

Floor plans and details of the facility reveal that the Russian military relies on cement and plaster from Western companies for some of the world's most secret construction sites.

This includes the German company Knauf, which has publicly distanced itself from its Russian operations. According to Der Spiegel and Danwatch, the company has full control over its Russian subsidiaries.

Putin's nuclear bases are full of Danish products

Valves, pumps and insulation from the Danish companies Danfoss, Grundfos and Rockwool were widely used in the modernization of two of Russia's most secret nuclear bases. This is shown by the investigation by Der Spiegel and Danwatch.

The parts were probably manufactured by the companies' Russian branches, and are included in drawings that date back to 2009. Danfoss and Grundfos sold all their operations in Russia in 2022, but Rockwool has four factories left.

All three companies deny knowledge that their products were used on the bases, and claim that they did not violate any sanctions.

According to the investigation, products from Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland were also used on the bases.