An unusual cluster of large white hangars have been built deep in the Kiziltash mountains on the southern side of Crimea since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The site, at an old weapons storage site (vicinity 44.9303°, 35.0722°), is at the end of a narrow valley, surrounded by mountains on all sides.

While the site itself is already of interest, its significance grows in context: at least two nearly identical facilities have been identified in Russia. This suggests it was part of a broader, standardized network of secret installations rather than an isolated project.

Several observers have written about the sites individually, this attempts to bring them together. This post relies exclusively on public information. If you have additional information on these sites, or additional related sites, please share.

The sites have the following common characteristics:
● Built at isolated sites, with two on land previously associated with the Russian Navy, and the other a green-field site.
● Three large (2,000-3,000m2) white semi-circular inflatable (‘pneumatic’) hangars. Exact models/shapes and sizes vary even within a site.
● A set of blue shipping containers positioned approximately centrally to the hangars and connected to them by pipes or heavy cables.
● A smaller blue shipping container positioned on its own with a blast berm on three sides.
● A double fence perimeter, although with minimal gate guard facilities.
● Numerous tall lattice masts, likely lightning conductors.
● Few new ancillary buildings, or signs of a large workforce.

At least one site has missile launch pads built connected to it, suggesting that all three are missile related.

3 Sites of Interest in Russia/Crimea

The locations of the three known sites. The St. Petersburg site was established first, followed by the Crimea one, followed by the whiter Sea one.

Crimea Site in Black Sea

The site has historically been associated with a nuclear weapons storage facility Feodosia-13 (also known as Object 712a or Object 7b, and Military Unit Number 42615). This was a Soviet-era nuclear weapons storage facility located near Krasnokamyanka, and included several tunnels built into the mountains. The new facility does not reuse these bunkers and in fact obstructs access to them. Ukrainian media reported in 2024 that Russia had brought the site back into use.

The site has three large inflatable (‘pneumatic’) hangars. Although there is vehicle access, there are not large aprons and turning areas associated with large military vehicles or articulated lorries.

3 Sites of Interest in Russia/Crimea

Based on low-resolution Sentinel 2 satellite imagery, land clearance was well underway by October 2022 and the first hangar erected in November 2022.

St. Petersburg Site near Baltic

Based on low-resolution Sentinel 2 satellite imagery this appears to be the oldest of the three sites. Land clearance was well underway by August 2022 and the first hangar erected in October 2022. The Crimea sites as a couple of months behind, and the White Sea one around a year later. 3 Sites of Interest in Russia/Crimea

This site, around 50km north east of St. Petersburg (vicinity 60.3498°, 30.7726°) is slightly different to the other two in several ways:
● It was built at a greenfield site, not on pre-existing but disused Russian Navy land (although ownership is unclear)
● There are two missile launch pads (one initially, expanded to two)
● There is a parking place with berm blast defences amongst the hangars
● It is being expanded with additional hangars

This suggests that it is the initial test site for whatever system connects the three sites. Possibly it’s expansion suggests another round of new tests.

3 Sites of Interest in Russia/Crimea

Missile launch pads

3 Sites of Interest in Russia/Crimea

A recent Sentinel-2 low-resolution satellite image showing the expansion of the site.

White Sea Site in Arctic

Built on the southern side of the Nenoksa naval missile testing site (vicinity 64.6424°, 39.2086°) on the Onega Peninsula, just down the coast from the major port of Severodvinsk. The facility is associated with the testing of new missile systems. Based on low-resolution Sentinel 2 satellite imagery construction was well underway by July 2023 and the three hangars had been erected by September 2023.

3 Sites of Interest in Russia/Crimea 3 Sites of Interest in Russia/Crimea

Related articles (Full index of popular Covert Shores articles)

Flag Ukraine’s long-ranged attack drones (OWA-UAVs)

Flag Ukraine’s longer-ranged missiles

Flag Guide to Russia’s Shahed / Geran strike drones