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Russia Reactivates Cold War-Era Nuclear Command System

Russia Reactivates Cold War-Era Nuclear Command System

First seen 27 Sep 2026, 19:07 UTC • •

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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •September 27, 2026 at 19:57 UTC
  • •Russia has modernized the Object 1335 nuclear command complex since 2018.
  • •The facility is linked to the Cold War 'Dead Hand' system, ensuring nuclear retaliation capability.
  • •Procurement records show massive orders for construction materials, indicating extensive upgrades.

Russia has significantly upgraded a secret underground command complex known as Object 1335, linked to the Cold War-era 'Dead Hand' nuclear command system. This facility, located in the Ural Mountains, has undergone extensive construction since 2018, with procurement records indicating orders for over 22,000 tons of steel and 56,000 tons of cement. The modernization aims to ensure Russia's ability to launch a retaliatory nuclear strike even if its leadership is incapacitated. The project has involved substantial excavation and installation of advanced systems for chemical, biological, and radioactive protection. Experts suggest that this revival of the Dead Hand system is a direct response to the current geopolitical climate, particularly following the expiration of the New START treaty. The Kremlin has not publicly commented on these findings. The scale of the construction and the materials used indicate a significant investment in enhancing Russia's nuclear command capabilities.

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Timeline

2018-01-01
Construction orders placed for Object 1335
The Russian Defense Ministry began placing thousands of orders for construction materials for the underground complex.
danwatch.dk
2020-01-01
Major construction phase reported
The busiest construction phase occurred, with significant material orders including steel and cement.
Intellinews
2024-08-01
Construction reported to continue
Reports indicate that construction and fortification efforts at the site continued through at least August 2024.
English.Nv.Ua
2026-09-26
Joint investigation published
A joint investigation by Danwatch, The Sunday Times, and the Dossier Center revealed extensive details about the facility's upgrades.
Intellinews

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