Russia: Kosvinsky Mountain Command Post: More Construction Underway October 2026

Post-War - Present, Facilities & Installations

An analysis of commercial satellite imagery covering the underground command post at Kosvinsky Mountain revealed construction has ended, but work on a new section began as early as 2024. A wide variety of reporting indicated that construction of the facility, a component of the Strategic Rocket Forces (SRF) “Perimeter”, or “Dead Hand” system, began in the 1980’s. According to some reports “Perimeter” employs an ultra-low-frequency (ULF) antenna to broadcast nuclear unlock codes to Russia’s strategic forces.

satellite image of The Kosvinsky Mountain Command Post Complex in June 2020

Located in the Ural Mountains, the command post has been closely linked with another facility at Yamatau, 600 kilometers to the south. The Kosvinsky complex is composed of the main underground entrance, a barracks/support area and a housing area in the nearby village of Kytlym; a second underground entrance three km to the south (Graphic 1).

Satellite imagery shows the facility was in an early stage of construction in ca. 1985. Both underground entrances were visible in June 2003, and a few buildings were being constructed. By 28 May 2014, the facility had attained its finished size. An entrance portal was constructed over the adit entrance. The portal and an adjacent building (with an observation and weapons position) a had been secured (Graphic 2).

Despite the apparent completion of underground work, excavation resumed sometime between 2017 and 2020, indicating an expansion or possible repair of the facility. By 20 September 2020, the security gate had been removed and spoil was being removed via the portal to a new dump site, expanding the spoil pile (Graphic 3).

An analysis of imagery from 2003 to 2024 shows the second phase of construction had probably ended by June 2023, when two new security gates were installed at the portal and associated building (Graphic 4). However, work continued above the portal, where the retaining wall was rebuilt and a building was added in 2024.

Final site clearing and reworking of steam lines was in progress in April 2026, indicating major work had ended (Graphics 5 & 6). A possible vent pipe had been relocated to the new building over the portal entrance.

Second Underground Entrance

The second underground entrance, 2.6 kilometers to the southwest, could be seen in 2003 (Graphic 7). Little activity took place there until May 2014 when a new road had been constructed to the site and a construction camp was being built. Excavation from the second adit, indicated by a large spoil pile, took place between March 2022 and June 2023. Work at the site continued in September 2026 (Graphic 8). A communication tower had been installed at the construction camp.

Other Activity

Other possible underground activity of note was seen near both entrances. By 2003, at the second entrance, a small shed or container had been emplaced next to the adit, and by 2020 a road had been graded to the site (see Graphics 7 & 8). Identical activity that involved some excavation took place 200 meters south of the main portal sometime between 2003 and 2014 (graphics 2 & 3). The latter site was accompanied by scarring directly above the portal where at least small three rectangular pads could be seen.