Business Insider: Satellite Images Reveal 5 Secret Russian Nuclear Bases

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Russia is reportedly upgrading five of its nuclear facilities in Europe and the Pacific, according to new satellite imagery obtained by U.S. media outlet Business Insider.

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The outlet published satellite images taken between May and June 2025 by Planet Labs, showing extensive construction work at secret sites surrounded by fencing and guarded posts, linked to Russia’s nuclear infrastructure.

Russia has not commented on the report, and the information has not been independently verified.

These alleged upgrades come amid growing nuclear tensions, linked to the Ukraine war and the expansion of China’s arsenal. Russia holds the largest nuclear stockpile globally, with about 4,300 active warheads, compared to 3,700 for the United States.

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Asipovichi Base (Belarus)
Located in central Belarus, a key Russian ally, the base features a new highly secured facility built by May 21, 2025. Hans Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists notes the presence of a “triple-layered fence” with a reinforced inner perimeter.

The southern entrance is covered to prevent satellite observation of vehicle inspections. The thermonuclear warheads stored at such sites are believed to be tactical—smaller and easier to transport—each about the size of a small oven and weighing between 450 to 650 pounds.

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A covered ramp between trees may lead to a warhead storage bunker containing chemical explosives. A large orange command antenna is visible to the east.

Comparisons with 2021 imagery show a new road likely linked to the Belarusian railway system, suggesting preparations for rail transport. Analysts believe the base is currently empty, with warheads stored in Bryansk, Russia.

An additional site at Asipovichi may be used to deploy Iskander ballistic missiles, which can carry nuclear warheads. By June 2025, two highly secure garages were added.

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Gadzhiyevo Base
This northern naval depot houses Russian nuclear submarines. Previous satellite imagery revealed warheads stored here. Just north, ballistic missile submarines are seen docked. One facility has a crane capable of loading ICBMs with strategic nuclear warheads onto submarines.

By May 28, 2025, at least six new buildings had been erected, likely for missile storage or assembly.

Kaliningrad Base
Located in Russia’s exclave between Lithuania and Poland, Kaliningrad’s facility is surrounded by multiple security layers, suggesting a tactical nuclear storage site.

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Between 2020 and 2022, one bunker was dismantled and rebuilt. A small gray guardhouse appeared in June 2025—identical to one seen at Asipovichi—raising analyst questions.

Kamchatka Base
Facing Alaska across the Bering Sea, this Pacific Fleet base is intended to host the Poseidon nuclear-powered underwater torpedo, designed for long-range autonomous travel before detonation. Though likely not yet operational, it has caused concern in Washington.

Like other sites, the high level of security suggests nuclear warhead storage. Two new buildings were constructed between 2022 and mid-2025. One shows rows that could indicate warhead compartments, and a T-shaped structure to the south displays “clear nuclear markings,” according to Kristensen.

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Severny Base (Novaya Zemlya)
Site of the 1961 “Tsar Bomba” test—the most powerful ever conducted—the Severny base supports sub-critical nuclear experiments.

In August 2023, construction began on a large new building at the southern end of the complex. By June 2025, imagery shows the expansion completed. Analysts also noticed increased activity around tunnel sites, likely for high-explosive conventional weapons tests.

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