TATISCHEVO
The image above depicts an RT-2PM2 Topol-M (SS-27) silo near Tatischevo in southwestern Russia. There are over 40 such silos in the area. The silo compound itself is well protected behind three fences, with one entry point. The area contained inside the fences is level and cleared of any substantial vegetation, allowing security forces to view the surrounding area for any potential interlopers, making a covert approach to the silo itself a very risky proposition. There are three separate buildings in the compound. The outermost building just inside the third fence at the entry point is likely for security personnel. The second building is likely for administrative functions as well as a further entry point into the inner compound. The final building, inside the innermost fence, likely houses the entry to the silo's control bunker. The silo itself is covered by a grey circular door. Projecting to the southeast from the silo cover are pairs of vents for expelling rocket exhaust gasses during missile launch. A level area to the northwest of the silo displays signs of vehicle activity, likely serving as the ramp space for silo loading and missile maintenance vehicles.
SOURCE
-Satellite image provided courtesy of Google Earth
The image above depicts an RT-2PM2 Topol-M (SS-27) silo near Tatischevo in southwestern Russia. There are over 40 such silos in the area. The silo compound itself is well protected behind three fences, with one entry point. The area contained inside the fences is level and cleared of any substantial vegetation, allowing security forces to view the surrounding area for any potential interlopers, making a covert approach to the silo itself a very risky proposition. There are three separate buildings in the compound. The outermost building just inside the third fence at the entry point is likely for security personnel. The second building is likely for administrative functions as well as a further entry point into the inner compound. The final building, inside the innermost fence, likely houses the entry to the silo's control bunker. The silo itself is covered by a grey circular door. Projecting to the southeast from the silo cover are pairs of vents for expelling rocket exhaust gasses during missile launch. A level area to the northwest of the silo displays signs of vehicle activity, likely serving as the ramp space for silo loading and missile maintenance vehicles.
SOURCE
-Satellite image provided courtesy of Google Earth
4 comments:
Sean,
I'm sure you're aware of the recent intel and imagery on the Syria reactor that was released by the intelligence community this week. In large part because of the IC's failure on Iraq WMD, many are questioning this evidence and even asserting the images are faked or don't show what they purport to show. Your expert opinion would be a valuable contribution to the debate, imo.
Best regards,
Andy
The images clearly show a nuclear reactor being constructed, albeit one that was not yet fueled. There was clearly a HUMINT source involved, given the nature of the information. Satellites aren't going to capture a ground level videotape from inside the facility. The likely culprit didn't even have to be the guy taping, it could have been taped as part of a report to the Syrian government, and the source got his hands on it at some point. At any rate, there isn't a chance for the administration to gain any credbility on this issue, thanks to the Israeli unilateral decision to obliterate the site. That actually tells me a lot regarding their policy on the use of nuclear weapons, but that's another issue entirely. The reason this was released is likely to pressure North Korea in the Six Party Talks to give up information on their proliferation activity.
Sean:
Any air defence units in the area?
maybe S-300?
There's an S-300P garrison with a co-located 64N6 EW radar site located southwest of Engels AB. That implies that there are some S-300P sites in the area, but they haven't been located yet. There are still large chunks of space around there that is not covered in high-resolution yet.
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