Russia expands underground nuclear command bunker in Urals, reviving Cold War ‘Dead Hand’ system
Russia is rebuilding a vast underground nuclear command centre beneath Kosvinsky Kamen in the Urals, forming the core of a revived Dead Hand programme.
A joint investigation has uncovered that Russia is overhauling Facility 1335, a deep-mountain nuclear command centre under Kosvinsky Kamen in the Urals, to serve as the backbone of the revived Dead Hand deterrent. The original Cold War tunnel network of 24 rooms is being supplemented by a large new structure, with procurement data revealing the delivery of millions of litres of fuel and gas, around 20,000 tonnes of steel and enough concrete to cover 150,000 square metres since 2018.
The peak construction phase took place between 2020 and 2021, following Putin’s remarks to senior military officials about ensuring the survivability of nuclear command systems. Security analyst Tom Roseth noted that the Russians are hardening the site against every conceivable threat, while Colonel Yu Andreev described the bunker’s role in guaranteeing retaliatory capability. Former president Dmitry Medvedev has also referenced the Dead Hand concept, and Britain’s Defence Secretary Wes Streeting cited the project as evidence of Russia’s growing threat to Western security.
Why it matters
The upgraded bunker strengthens Russia's nuclear command resilience, raising strategic tensions with the West.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTAll camps report the same basic facts about the expansion of Facility 1335, but left-leaning coverage stresses Putin’s heavy investment, centrist coverage highlights the revival of the Cold War ‘Dead Hand’ system and its strategic purpose, while right-leaning coverage presents a straightforward account of the construction and hardening of the bunker.
LEFT
Frames the story as Putin pouring vast resources into reviving a Cold War-era nuclear bunker
CENTER
Frames the story as Russia rebuilding a secret bunker to reactivate the Cold War “Dead Hand” deterrent
RIGHT
Frames the story as a factual expansion and hardening of an underground nuclear command facility
The left emphasises
- Putin has allocated vast resources to modernise the underground site
- construction involves multistorey-sized structures, new tunnels and at least 24 sealed chambers
- roughly 20,000 tonnes of steel and concrete cover over 150,000 square metres
The right emphasises
- Russia is overhauling Facility 1335 to serve as the backbone of the revived Dead Hand deterrent
- procurement data shows delivery of millions of litres of fuel, gas, and massive steel and concrete quantities
- the site is being hardened against every conceivable threat
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