A large-scale data exposure has compromised the secrecy of Russia’s nuclear weapons infrastructure. Detailed blueprints, building plans, and internal schematics of nuclear sites—including underground missile silos—have been found in a publicly accessible procurement database. Investigative journalists from Danwatch and Der Spiegel uncovered the leak after scraping over two million procurement records.
Public Procurement Data Reveals Critical Military Infrastructure
The leaked documents describe sensitive components of Russia’s nuclear modernization program in extraordinary detail. These include layouts of nuclear weapons silos, underground tunnels, and support buildings.
“It even contains floor plans and infrastructure details for nuclear weapons silos,” Der Spiegel reported.
The investigation found that many of these procurement files are still online and accessible without restriction. Some of the documents are as recent as mid-2024 and reveal that Russia has undertaken sweeping construction at its nuclear facilities, including the rebuilding of entire bases, watchtowers, control centers, and the excavation of several kilometers of underground passages.
“An enormous Russian security breach has exposed the innermost parts of Russia’s nuclear modernization,” Danwatch reported.
“It’s completely unprecedented.”
European Firms Caught in the Supply Chain
The report also links several European companies to Russia’s nuclear modernization efforts. German firm Knauf, a major supplier of building materials, was cited as an indirect contributor via regional dealers and subsidiaries.
Knauf condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and stated that it operates through independent dealers, claiming no control over how its products are ultimately used within Russia.
Security Implications of the Leak
The procurement records include descriptions of advanced physical security systems, such as seismic detectors, explosion-resistant doors, radiation sensors, and multiple perimeter defenses.
Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, which manage around 900 active nuclear warheads, are a central pillar of the country’s nuclear deterrent. The blueprints mark launch regions for Russia’s intercontinental ballistic missiles, which are reportedly capable of carrying the world’s most powerful nuclear payloads.
Ukrainian media speculate that the exposure could force Russia to redesign parts of its nuclear infrastructure from scratch, potentially costing billions.
The journalists accessed the sensitive material by routing traffic through proxy servers in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus to bypass network controls. The findings suggest that the public procurement database still hosts sensitive materials.
