Pervomais'k Missile Silo - Ukraine

During the Cold War, 176 nuclear missile launching silos were located at missile bases across Ukraine. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, under the 'Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty' (START) agreement with the USA, they were all demolished ... all except one ...


“Are you sure this is straight?” God bless the Ukrainians


The silo is maintained by ex-missile troops officers, who will show you round for a back hander – despite the fact they only speak Russian, loudly. The site comprises the Command Post, and one of the ten missile silos that the base used to control, complete with surface buildings and underground connecting tunnels.


The Ukrainian Quidditch teams are formidable:


We followed our guide past the Satan, and through a previously mined area to where the Command Post silo, and the remaining missile silo were sited. Above ground there are some buildings including a machine-gun post, and several vehicles related to the transport, and fuelling of the missiles.
This lid to the first missile silo could open up in 8 seconds, and fire off the massive nuclear Satan missile:




The missiles would be transported to the site on the back of lorries, and tipped (presumably very carefully) into these 40m deep silo’s.




Along the wire fence, which used to conduct 7000 Volt power for security reasons, you can walk to the entrance to the shaft itself. Plain looking wooden door, there cant be anything exciting in there:


Then you realize it’s a hefty steel blast door:


Then, along an underground tunnel, your guide will take you to the headquarters of the base - the place from which the launch of rockets was directed. All guides of the museum are former officers of the same military base, who used to work here when the base was active.

The guide screams in Russian, and marches me at running pace through the tunnel:


In the end of the excursion, if you ask persistently and offer additional payment, the guide will take you 40meters down by elevator into the underground area with the so-called "11-th section", where the widely known "Nuclear Button" was located. Three of us squeeze into an unfeasible small elevator and descend 12 stories into the earth; it’s really not one for the claustrophobe’s.

These buttons could have literally ended human civilization as we know it. Sobering.


On the way out I sneak off a cheeky self portrait before the guide screams at me, and literally man handles me out of the complex!