This section contains lists of selected declassified clandestine reports, photographic intelligence 

reports and finished intelligence publications for the chapters indicated. These documents are 

generally arrayed chronologically, according to their dates of dissemination within the Intelligence 

Community (IC), not the dates of publication by the Soviets, which were often years earlier. For 

every document there is some commentary describing the substance of the report or the analysis. In 

some cases, there are additional comments, pertaining to customer comments, for example, or 

describing the impact on US policy, or providing context for a report.

O A NOTE ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE READING

O FREQUENTLY USED ACRONYMS

O CHAPTER I:

EARLY KHRUSHCHEV PERIOD (1955–60)

O CHAPTER II:

THE BERLIN CRISIS, COLONEL PENKOVSKIY, AND WARSAW PACT PREPARATIONS 

FOR MILITARY OPERATIONS (1958-61)

O CHAPTER III:

DEBATES ON MILITARY DOCTRINE AND STRATEGY:

THE CONTRIBUTION OF CLANDESTINE SOURCE, COL. OLEG PENKOVSKIY (1960–64)

O CHAPTER IV:

NEW INSIGHTS INTO THE WARSAW PACT FORCES AND DOCTRINE:

THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS (1962)

O CHAPTER V:

NEW ESTIMATES OF THE SOVIET GROUND FORCES (1963–68)

O CHAPTER VI:

TURMOIL IN THE SOVIET SPHERE (1962–68) 

O CHAPTER VII:

CLANDESTINE REPORTING, ANALYSIS AND ESTIMATES (1970–85)

A NOTE ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE READING
National Intelligence Estimate [NIE)]: The highest form of finished national intelligence. It is intended to 

reflect the consensus of the Intelligence Community regarding some issue of major importance to national 

security, and it attempts to forecast the future development of present military, political, or economic situations 

in order to identify the implications for national policymakers. Most NIEs relate to issues of continuing 

concern, for example, Warsaw Pact forces opposite NATO, and are produced or updated annually or 

biannually, or on some other regular schedule. A Special National Intelligence Estimate (SNIE) is produced 

when some unforeseen development, for example, the Berlin crisis, requires an immediate ad hoc study of the 

situation. An Interagency Intelligence Memorandum (IIM) does the same thing as an NIE only on a more 

narrow issue of interest to a smaller audience.

Clandestine Service Reporting: The following are the titles that the CIA clandestine service used during the 

period of this paper for disseminated intelligence reports: Information Report/Intelligence Information 

Report/Intelligence Information Special Report.

Human and Technical Sources provide intelligence information which may be released—disseminated—in 

varying report formats to readers such as analysts and policy officials. Analysts review many types of 

information, both classified and unclassified, to arrive at conclusions and judgments. Intelligence information 

reports may contribute to or form the basis of such analysis. Thus "raw" intelligence information reports 

support "finished" intelligence products.

Source Information and Documents: The sources of the reports in this release reported verbally or provided 

full or partial texts—or even summaries—of cables, reports, memoranda, and conversations. Intelligence 

information reports do not necessarily match their documentary origins. For example, a source may have 

provided a full-text document that was summarized for dissemination, or translated and disseminated in full, 

but without the original text. The documents replicated for this study are copies of those actually disseminated 

to intelligence analysts in the Intelligence Community. They often contain underscoring of passages of interest 

to that particular analyst and do not usually represent emphasis of the issuing clandestine service.

Directorate of Intelligence Analysis and Products: The DI produces all-source finished intelligence 

[analysis] on topics of interest to the President, members of Congress, Cabinet members and the military 

services. All source is based on all relevant photographic, SIGINT, clandestine and open source information. 

Finished intelligence means that the product has gone through the proper coordination within the office of 

origin, among other interested DI offices, with the Clandestine Service; and has been reviewed by the 

appropriate managers including the DDI. The titles the DI used during the period of this paper for 

disseminating finished intelligence are: Intelligence Assessments, Intelligence Reports, Intelligence 

Memoranda, Research Papers and Typescript Memorandum. There are also articles taken from weekly 

magazine reports that are important to the issues of the time and FBIS Propaganda Reports containing analysis 

of foreign media.

Photographic Intelligence Reports: These are documents that report the "reading" or interpretation of the 

photographs received from aircraft or satellites. In the first years of the U-2, program preliminary reports were 

issued sometimes within 24 hours of receiving the photographs to provide an initial "read-out" or interpretation 

of the photographs of high priority sites including new sites, new construction, etc. These reports were 

followed by a second report issued to provide more details and additional information on the sites and on sites 

of lower priority covered by the photography usually within a week of receiving the photographs. Finally, a 

Photographic Intelligence Report would be published to report all the details for sites of special significance 

covered by the mission with analysis of the purpose, size, content of the test ranges, launch sites, buildings, 

and activities discovered or confirmed and additional information.
FREQUENTLY USED ACRONYMS

CPSU/CC Communist Party of the Soviet Union Central Committee

CSI Center for the Study of Intelligence

DCI Director of Central Intelligence

DIA Defense Intelligence Agency

DI Directorate of Intelligence (CIA)

DO Directorate of Operations, 1973-2005 (CIA)

DP Directorate of Plans, 1950s-1973 (CIA)

FBIS Foreign Broadcast Information Service

FRG Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany)

FRUS Foreign Relations of the United States (A Department of State History Series)

GDR German Democratic Republic (East Germany)

IC Intelligence Community

MBFR Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions

NARA National Archives and Records Administration

NCS National Clandestine Service, 2005-present (CIA)

NIC National Intelligence Council, established December 1979 (DCI)

NIC/WC National Indications Center/Watch Committee, pre-1979 (DCI)

NIE National Intelligence Estimate

NPIC National Photographic Interpretation Center

NSCID National Security Council Intelligence Directive

NSC National Security Council

NSWP Non-Soviet Warsaw Pact [countries]

NTM National Technical Means

OCI Office of Current Intelligence (CIA)

OER Office of Economic Research (CIA)

ONE Office of National Estimates (CIA)

OPA Office of Political Analysis (CIA)

ORR Office of Research and Reports (CIA)

OSR Office of Strategic Research (CIA)

PCC Political Consultative Committee (Warsaw Treaty Organization)
SOVA Office of Soviet Analysis (CIA)

SHAPE Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe

SIGINT Signals Intelligence

SNIE Special National Intelligence Estimate

SRS Senior Research Staff

TO&E Table of Organization and Equipment

WMD Weapons of Mass Destruction

EARLY KHRUSHCHEV PERIOD (1955-60)

The documents in this section provide a broad sample of what CIA and IC analysts knew about Soviet military 

capabilities and intentions, when they knew it, and what sources of information informed that knowledge 

during the period 1955-60. Significant intelligence documents for the period mid-1953 until the formation of 

the Warsaw Pact are included because the period following the death of Stalin was so important for 

developments in Soviet military doctrine during the period 1955-60. The reporting varies from the mundane to 

the truly significant. It also tells the story of the movement of the Clandestine Service from modest beginnings 

to increasing accomplishment and the growing sophistication of DI military analysis of Soviet and Warsaw 

Pact capabilities, intentions, and threat. The clandestine reports were provided by Maj. [later promoted to Lt. 

Col.] Pyotr Popov while he was operating for the United States, with the exception of five reports provided by 

Col. Oleg Penkovskiy, which are noted in the catalogue.

Document I-1. Proposed Training for Soviet Army Officer Corps to Include Information on the 

Employment of Atomic Weapons, CIA/DP Information Report, 15 December 1953 [DOI, prior to 23 

November 1953]. 1

This reporting, 2from late 1953 and after Stalin's death, discusses a "recent" Ministry of Defense order 

requiring training in the use of nuclear weapons. It illustrated the impetus for catching up to the realities of the 

employment of nuclear weapons following the end of Stalin's proscription against even discussing the subject. 

Interestingly, the proposal for training predated the publication of the manual on nuclear warfare described in 

Document I-31.

Document I-2. "Nuclear Weapons in Soviet Propaganda", CIA/DI/Foreign Broadcast Information Service 

[FBIS] Radio Propaganda Report, 23 December 1953.

The analysis describes Soviet radio propaganda on nuclear weapons as extremely and consistently cautious 

after the Soviet hydrogen bomb test in August 1953. It describes almost no reporting on Western military plans 

or developments and preparations and only a few major pronouncements on control and disarmament. The 

increase in propaganda after the test had dropped back by November 1953, leading to a conclusion that the 

pattern indicated greater flexibility on the subject than in the past.
Document I-3. Special Assistant Secretary of State for Research and Intelligence, W. Park Armstrong Jr., to

Under Secretary of State Walter Bedell Smith, cover memorandum for Soviet Manual on Conduct of 

Atomic Combat Operations, CIA report 18 March 1954. [The editors have been unable to locate this manual 

in CIA archives.]

The memorandum forwards the CIA report, stating the Joint Atomic Energy Intelligence Committee [JAEIC] 

is preparing an evaluation of the information it contains. Mr. Armstrong specifically questions the information 

on radiological warfare and cautions against drawing conclusions about Soviet progress in developing atomic 

weapons until the information is clarified.

Document I-3a. Special Assistant Secretary of State for Research and Intelligence, W. Park Armstrong Jr. to 

Under Secretary of State Walter Bedell Smith, cover memorandum for Soviet Manual on Tactical 

Employment of Atomic Weapons,

3 CIA Intelligence Report disseminated 9 April 1954.

The memorandum advises of a CIA/DP report containing a manual for sergeants on this subject. [Editors' 

comment: The material from Popov was so much better than that from other human sources that some 

members of the IC viewed it with a certain amount of skepticism. This memorandum reflects both skepticism 

and an appreciation of the reporting's potential value.]

Document I-4. "Soviet Officer's Views on Intentions of the USSR", CIA/DP Information Report, 12 August 

1954 [DOI, early summer 1954].

This reporting conveys a Soviet military officer's opinion that the Soviet Union was neither prepared to go to 

war nor interested in doing so and explains the reasons for his position. Standing alone, the report was of little 

value, but its candid nature bolstered the importance of open-source evidence of coming changes in Soviet 

military and political policy. The officer proved prescient.

Document I-5. Probable Developments in the European Satellites through Mid-1956, National 

Intelligence Estimate [NIE] 12-54, 24 August 1954.

From the vantage point of mid-1954 and without foreknowledge of the Warsaw Treaty, this NIE illustrates the 

outlook of the Intelligence Community for the formative period of major change in Soviet Bloc relations and 

military developments. The estimate describes the state and quality of information and understanding IC 

analysts had about Soviet and East European forces less than one year before the Warsaw Pact Treaty was 

signed.

Document I-6. "Soviet Officer's Attitude toward Rearmament of Western Germany", CIA/DP Information 

Report, 30 August 1954 [DOI, summer of 1954].

In this reporting, a Soviet officer states his disbelief that a West German army should concern the USSR. 

Evidently, the Soviet military did not universally hyperventilate about West German rearmament.

Document I-7. "New Assignments for Soviet Generals", CIA/DP Information Report, 7 September 1954 

[DOI, midsummer 1954].

This reporting lists new assignments for three general officers.

Document I-8. "Reductions in Officer Strength in the Soviet Army", CIA/DP Information Report, 8 

November 1954 [DOI, fall 1954].

This reporting describes rumored reductions in officers or personnel in the Soviet Army. This and subsequent 

reports lent credibility to Khrushchev's announcement in 1955 of a major reduction in military manpower.

Document I-9. "Soviet Official's Opinions on Soviet Policy in Western Europe", CIA/DP Information Report, 

11 November 1954 [DOI, summer 1954].

This reporting describes information gathered from conversations among unnamed Soviet officials regarding 
the sovereignty of East Germany and a proposal for an all-European security pact that would be repeated often 

by Soviet officials and proposed again by Brezhnev in 1967. The latter and proposals from NATO officials 

eventually led to the Conference on Security and Cooperation and Mutual and Balanced Forces negotiations in 

the 1970s.

Document I-10. "New Officer Promotion Policy for the Soviet Army", CIA/DP Information Report, 9 

December 1954 [DOI, fall 1954].

This reporting lists the minimum length of time in grade required for promotions. The lengthening of the 

periods for promotion probably portended the major force reductions announced in the summer of 1955.

Document I-11. "A Soviet Official's Views on Possible Soviet Reaction to West German Rearmament", 

CIA/DP Information Report, 16 December 1954 [DOI, November 1954].

This reporting is about a discussion of possible measures, such as rearming East Germany, that the Soviets 

were likely to take should the decisions at a September-October 1954 "London Conference" of the Western 

Allies be ratified.4

Document I-12. "Personnel Reductions in the Soviet Army", CIA/DP Information Report, 25 January 1955 

[DOI, fall 1954].

This reporting recounts information received through the source's contacts at the Ministry of Defense and 

provides more details about how reductions in the military were to be carried out.

Document I-13. "East German Officers in Soviet Military Academies", CIA/DP Information Report, 31 

January 1955 [DOI, summer 1954].

The reporting states East German officers had joined the group of more than 50 foreign officers at the 

prestigious Frunze Military Academy.

Document I-14. "Soviet Army Maneuvers under Marshal Zhukov, Including the Use of Atomic Weapons", 

CIA/DP Information Report, 25 February 1955 [DOI, September 1954].

This reporting relates secondhand information about important Soviet Army maneuvers held in the Caspian 

Sea area that included the tactical use of nuclear weapons. The Soviet Army issued in 1954 its initial manual 

on tactics for operations when atomic weapons were used.

Document I-15. "Wartime TO&E5 of a Soviet Tank Division", CIA/DP Information Report, 10 March 1955 

[DOI, late 1954].

This reporting contains a breakdown of the basic units in a wartime tank division of the Soviet Army.

Document I-16. "Comment on Possible Soviet Bloc Military Appointments", CIA/DI Current Intelligence 

Bulletin [CIB], 14 May 1955, page 3.

CIA comments on rumors that Mar. I. S. Konev and Gen. A. I. Antonov will be appointed in a session of the 

Warsaw Conference as commander and chief of staff, respectively, of a proposed unified Soviet Bloc military 

command.

Document I-17. "Comment on Combined Soviet Bloc Military Command", CIA/DI Current Intelligence 

Bulletin, 15 May 1955, pp. 7–8.

This is the second CIB report on the combined military command proposed for the Warsaw Treaty forces.

Document I-18. Soviet Capabilities and Probable Soviet Courses of Action through 1960, NIE 11-3-55, 

17 May 1955.

This estimate was completed three days after the Warsaw Pact Treaty was signed in Vienna. It established a 
baseline at the inception of the Warsaw Pact for the estimated size of forces and status of capabilities. It 

addressed the scale of effort and the trends expected for the period 1955-59 and set the stage for understanding 

the changes that the Warsaw Pact Treaty Organization might bring, and the impact of nuclear weapons on 

Soviet–Warsaw Pact doctrine, capabilities, plans, and organization.

Document I-19. "Marshal Konev's Role as Party Spokesman", CIA/DI Current Intelligence Weekly 

Summary, 19 May 1955, Part II, p.3-4.

This is a brief review of a speech and an article by Marshal Konev commemorating V-E Day and includes CIA 

analysis of the significance of Konev's appointment as chief of the Soviet Bloc military command.

Document I-20. Field Service Regulations of the Armed Forces of the USSR (Corps-Division), CIA/DP 

Information Report, 31 May 1955 [DOI, published by the Ministry of Defense of the USSR in February 1949].

The manual discloses the changes in doctrine and tactics that the Soviets had put in place in 1948, on the basis 

of their experiences in WW II. According to the order signed by Marshal Bulganin, the manual replaced the 

Temporary Field Service Regulations of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, 1936. The manual 

describes how Stalin's army was organized, equipped, supported, and trained to fight a war. Remarkably, 

although it was released three years after the nuclear bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in 1945, it remained 

consistent with Stalin's prohibitions against addressing nuclear weapons or how to conduct a war with them.

Document I-21. Field Service Regulations of the Soviet Army (Regiment-Battalion), CIA/DP 

Information Report, 31 May 1955 [DOI, published by the Ministry of the Armed Forces of the USSR, April 

1953].

The manual includes Marshal Bulganin's order announcing that the manual superseded the Combat 

Regulations of the Army, 1942, part 2 (Battalion, Regiment) and the Combat Regulations for Tank 

and Mechanized Troops, 1944, part 2, (Battalion, Regiment, Brigade). It was the definitive military 

doctrine for these levels of command.

The 251 page manual covers the gamut of organizational combinations and combat situations faced by these 

units. It does not address the problems of own or enemy use of nuclear weapons even though it does address 

enemy use of chemical weapons. Clearly Stalin's proscriptions against discussion of nuclear weapons still 

governed this manual that was released slightly after his death.

Document I-22. "Soviet Bloc's Facsimile NATO", DCI Allen Dulles' Briefing for the National Security 

Council, attached to the Agenda for 9 June 1955 NSC meeting.

The DCI briefing is item two of the agenda and is one of at least three issues he addressed. The two texts for 

his briefing on the treaty are dated 7 and 8 June 1955, respectively.

Document I-23. "General Shatilov on Surprise Atomic Attack: a Double-Edged Weapon", CIA/FBIS Radio 

Propaganda Report, 15 June 1955 [DOI, 28 May 1955].

The FBIS article reviews and analyzes "An Important and Noble Theme," an article in the 28 May 1955 issue 

of Literary Gazette by General Shatilov. The article was part of the military doctrinal discussion that 

followed the death of Stalin in March 1953 and continued through the 1960s. According to the analysis, the 

article raised the possibility of a surprise nuclear attack by the USSR and disputed the Stalinist doctrine that 

had dismissed surprise as a potentially decisive factor of war, especially in the era of nuclear weapons.

Document I-24. "Politics and Doctrinal Differences among the Soviet Military Elite", CIA/FBIS Radio 

Propaganda Report, 25 July 1955.

The article presents evidence of military involvement in Soviet politics, factionalism among the military elite, 

and possible allegiance of military leaders to individual members of the party Presidium. It also chronicles 
changes in Soviet military doctrine regarding the role of surprise in nuclear warfare, which some military 

spokesmen believed required a reassessment of Soviet military-political policy. The paper also examines the 

differences among the top military leaders on Soviet military-political strategy.

Document I-25. "Status of Kremlin Control of the Satellites", CIA/DI Current Intelligence Weekly 

Summary, 28 July 1955, p 1-3.

This is an analysis of the activities that led to the signing of the Warsaw Treaty, of the treaty itself, and of 

Soviet intentions and motivations.

Document I-26. "Possible Incorporation of Soviet Troops in Hungary and Rumania into the Carpathian 

Military District", CIA/DP Information Report, 4 August 1955 [DOI, June or early July 1955].

This reporting includes information on Soviet general officers who were involved in a survey of Hungary for 

military purposes. It also provides information on rumors that Soviet troops in Hungary and Rumania, as well 

as those to be withdrawn from Austria, were to come under the command of the Carpathian Military District.

Document I-27. "Training Course on Guided Missiles at Rostov-on-the-Don; Soviet Installations in the Far 

North", CIA/DP Information Report, 8 August 1955 [DOI, 1953–55].

This reporting provides limited information about the selection of officers for instruction on guided missiles6

with the faculty of the Soviet Artillery Academy. It describes the type of officer who received training at the 

facility and discloses some information about a large Soviet military airfield on Novaya Zemlya. Although far 

from definitive, such insider information was eagerly sought by the IC at the time.

Document I-28. "Soviet Doctrine and Surprise Attack", CIA/DI Current Intelligence Weekly, 11 August 

1955, p.1-4.

The article reviews writings of Soviet military leaders indicating an examination of Soviet military doctrine 

was in progress, beginning with an article in the September 1953 issue of Military Thought. These writings 

attached increased significance to surprise nuclear attacks as a determining factor in war. The CIA analysis 

shows some of the public statements hinted at the possibility of the Soviets using preventive strikes when 

faced with the possibility of an imminent attack. A major concern of the articles was defensive measures.

Document I-29. "Rumored Destination of Soviet Central Group of Forces Withdrawn from Austria", CIA/DP 

Information Report, 16 August 1955 [DOI, prior to 9 August 1955].

According to this reporting, the rumor included information that the Soviet Central Group of Forces was to be 

sent from Austria to the Lvov-Mukachevo area of the Carpathian Military District.

Document I-30. Recent Developments in Political Status of Soviet Armed Forces, CIA/DI Soviet Staff 

Study, Caesar XII, 20 September 1955.

This was a working paper that examined the role of the Soviet military in Soviet politics during 1955, when 

major decisions were taken on the signing of a peace treaty with Austria and the establishment of the Warsaw 

Pact. The study includes information about discussions by military leaders on military doctrine for the use of 

surprise and "atomic" weapons in war.

Document I-31. Atomic Weapons and Actions under Conditions of Their Employment, A Manual for 

Sergeants, CIA/DP Information Report, 27 September 1955 published by the Ministry of Defense of the 

USSR on 11 August 1954.

The manual is either the first or one of the first Soviet field service manuals for nuclear warfare. It provides 

insights into how the Soviet military prepared its troops and noncommissioned officers for the consequences of 

nuclear warfare. Although basic, it was intended to acquaint sergeants with technical characteristics of atomic 

weapons and with operating in a nuclear environment. The text is divided into three parts. The first part deals 
with basic technical characteristics of atomic energy, including descriptions of the destructive effects of atomic 

weapons. The second covers defense against atomic weapons, including the use of trenches, revetments, and 

other shelters for weapons, equipment, vehicles, and fuel; camouflage; personal protection; reconnaissance; 

and decontamination. A third describes the peculiarities of atomic warfare for small units, responses to atomic 

alerts, actions to be taken during and after an atomic blast, and procedures in contaminated areas.

Document I-31a. Photographs and illustrations of Atomic Weapons and Actions under Conditions of 

Their Employment, A Manual for Sergeants, CIA/DP Information report, 3 November 1955, [DOI, same 

as Document I-31].

Document I-32. "Miscellaneous Information on the Trans-Baykal Military District", CIA/DP Information 

Report, 7 December 1955 [DOI, late 1950 to the fall of 1955].

This reporting provides a small amount of information on the Trans-Baykal Military District. It illustrates the 

limited reporting available at the time but nonetheless was valued by analysts as a means to "fill in" gaps.

Document I-33. "Soviet Radar Schools", CIA/DP Information Report, 7 December 1955 [DOI, fall 1955].

This reporting provides basic information on two radar schools. Such information was scarce in the 1950s. 

Document I-34. The Berlin Tunnel Operation, 1952–1956", CIA/DP Clandestine Services History #150, 24 

June 1968.

This history covers the operation of the tunnel from planning through termination. It describes the successes of 

the operation as a prime source of early warning of Soviet intentions in Europe, particularly in Berlin; as a 

monitor of the preparedness and indecision among Soviet and East German officials; and as a source of useful 

information about the establishment of the East German army, Soviet plans to implement the Warsaw Treaty, 

reductions in the strength of Soviet armed forces, the re-equipment of Soviet forces in East Germany, and the 

order of battle for some Soviet ground forces within the USSR. The paper has four appendices, including 

analysis of the tunnel's discovery and examples of US and East German press comment. Appendix B, 

"Recapitulation of the Intelligence Derived", contains a description of the various kinds of intelligence 

information obtained from the tunnel operation.

Document I-35. "Soviet and East German Propaganda on the Status of Berlin," FBIS Radio Propaganda 

Report, 19 January 1956.

The report reviews Soviet and East German official statements and propaganda on the status of Berlin and East 

Germany and the impact on the four-power agreements. For example, the Soviet propaganda campaign 

portrayed East Germany as a sovereign, independent state, and, during visits to East Berlin, Soviet leaders 

referred to the city as the capital.

Document I-36. "The Soviet October Revolution Slogans", Radio Propaganda Report, 29 October 1956.

This is a listing of the 1956 October Revolution slogans, with an analysis of changes made from the previous 

list for 1955 and the politics behind the new or changed slogans. Slogans for other years are available at 

NARA.

Document I-37. "Combat Readiness of the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany", CIA/DP Information Report, 

12 December 1956 [DOI, late November 1956].

This reporting contains a candid critique of the unsatisfactory results of training during 1956—including poor 

combat readiness of the troops—and problems with military and political training for 1957.

Document I-38. "Termination of War Footing of Soviet Forces in East Germany", CIA/DP Information 

Report, 12 December 1956 [DOI, November 1956].
CIA issued this reporting approximately one month after the Soviets and Hungarian state security forces 

suppressed the Hungarian Revolution. The report includes information about terminating the war footing of 

Soviet troops in East Germany, routine rotation of officers, and permitted travel. The report notes the Soviets 

halted their plan to demobilize 1.2 million men.

Document I-39, "Zhukov address to GSFG7 Senior Troop Commanders", CIA/DP Information Report, 29 

March 1957 [DOI, 12–16 March 1957].

This reporting provides information about Marshal Zhukov's 16 March 1957 speech from someone who 

attended the meeting. Zhukov [1] addressed international affairs, Soviet military intentions and preparedness, 

the combat readiness and poor discipline of the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany [GSFG], and new Soviet 

armaments and military strategy; [2] made disparaging remarks on US alertness and nuclear capabilities; [3] 

advocated Soviet preemption when the West was preparing to start a war; [4] asserted that Soviet forces 

possessed everything essential for modern warfare and could gain victory over any enemy in a short period of 

time; [5] asserted the current strategy for the GSFG against NATO was obsolete and the Soviets must plan for 

their forces to reach the English Channel in two days.

Document I-39a. "Correction to Zhukov address to GSFG Senior Troop Commanders", CIA/DP 

Information Report, 12 April 1957 [DOI, 12–16 March 1957].

Document I-39b. "Supplement to Zhukov address to GSFG Senior Troop Commanders", CIA/DP 

Information Report 17 April 1957 [DOI, 12–17 March 1957].

Document I-39c. "Clarification of Zhukov address to GSFG Senior Troop Commanders", CIA/DP 

Information Report, 21 May 1957 [DOI 12–16 March 1957].

Document I-40. "Marshal Zhukov on the Nature of a Future War", FBIS Radio Propaganda Report, 5 April 

1957.

This report analyzes Zhukov's 16 March 1957 speech at an All-Army conference. He gave greater significance 

than in his previous positions to the role of nuclear weapons in a future war.

Document I-41. "Soviet Satellite Press Treatment of the Warsaw Treaty Anniversary", FBIS Radio 

Propaganda Report, 31 May 1957.

The report describes the different themes each Warsaw Pact country emphasized. For example, the East 

German press did not specify the "temporary" nature of the treaty, the Polish press emphasized the equality of 

the allies, Hungarian articles were more defensive about the necessity for Soviet troops on Hungarian soil than 

were articles from other members about this presence on their territories, and the Bulgarian press carried more 

articles by military officers than did the press in the other countries.

Document I-42. "Official Warning to GSFG of Expected Disorders on or about 23 June 1957", CIA/DP 

Information Report, 31 May 1957 [DOI May 1957].

According to this reporting, the date of the expected disorders was related to East German elections and West 

German army maneuvers.

Document I-43. "Soviet Official's Opinion concerning Soviet Position on Disarmament", CIA/DP Information 

Report, 5 July 1957 [DOI, June 1957].

This reporting relates a Soviet military official's views of Soviet motivations for arms control and Soviet 

tactics for the talks.

Document I-44. Soviet Economic Policy: December 1956–May 1957, CIA/DI Soviet Staff Study, Caesar 

III-A-1957, 8 July 1957.

This study examines shifts in Soviet economic policy to determine their meaning for the problems Soviet 
leaders encountered before they formally replaced the Sixth Five-Year Plan with Khrushchev's new SevenYear Plan.

Document I-45. "Comments by Soviet Officials on the Results of the Hungarian Revolt", CIA/DP Information 

Report, 19 July 1957 [DOI, early summer 1957].

This reporting presents information about how the Soviets viewed the impact to their international image 

resulting from their actions against the Hungarians.

Document I-46. "Zhukov's Position after the Presidium Purge; Impact of the Purge on the Soviet Armed 

Forces and KGB", CIA/DP Information Report, 27 July 1957 [DOI, late July 1957].

The reporting discusses the role Marshal Zhukov played in Khrushchev's victory over the Presidium and 

speculation on Zhukov's future.

Document I-47. "The Power Position of the Soviet Armed Forces and Factors behind Zhukov's Support of 

Khrushchev; Military and Peasant Attitudes toward Khrushchev," CIA/DP Information Report, 7 August 1957 

[DOI, July 1957].

This reporting compiles information on the strong position of military officials under Zhukov's leadership. It 

includes speculation this strong position resulted from Zhukov's friendship with Khrushchev and speculation 

on why he supported Khrushchev.

Document I-48. "Formation of Tank Armies from Soviet Mechanized Armies in East Germany; Absence of 

Indications of Demobilization in the GSFG", CIA/DP Information Report, 8 August 1957 [DOI, June 1957].

This reporting discusses the transformation of two Soviet mechanized armies in East Germany into the First 

Guards Tank Army and the Twentieth Guards Army; it speculates that the new armies will result in an increase 

of tanks and technical materiel that will allow a reduction of Soviet personnel in GSFG.

Document I-49. "Command Structure and Personnel of the Soviet Ministry of Defense", CIA/DP Information 

Report, 26 August 1957 [DOI, summer 1957].

This reporting is derived from information Popov received from his contact in the Soviet Ministry of Defense.

Document I-50. "Joint Army Maneuvers", CIA/DP Information Report, 27 August 1957 [DOI, mid-August 

1957].

This reporting discusses joint maneuvers of the Soviet GSFG with East German and some Czech army units in 

late July. The maneuvers were important enough that Marshal Zhukov was expected to attend. Unlike 

combined operations in the 1960s, there was little basis to judge whether the military substance of the 

maneuvers was significant or merely for political impact.

Document I-51. "CPSU Letter Criticism of Kaganovich's Statements on Soviet Troops in East Germany", 

CIA/DP Information Report, 4 September 1957 [DOI, July 1957].

This reporting provides speculation about the June 1957 shakeup of the CPSU Presidium and the part played 

by Kaganovich.

Document I-52. "Soviet Policy on Production of Weapons", CIA/DP Information Report, 11 September 1957 

[DOI, spring of 1957.]

This reporting provides information from sources in the Ministry of Defense (MOD) on the rapidity of 

technical developments in missiles and bombers, suggesting that they were not to be stockpiled.

Document I-53. "Soviet Propaganda on Tactical Atomic Weapons and Limited War", CIA/DI/FBIS Radio 

Propaganda Report, 1 October 1957.
The report contains Soviet statements and propaganda on tactical nuclear weapons versus strategic nuclear 

weapons, beginning with the first Soviet discussion of tactical nuclear weapons made in response to the 1954 

NATO decision to defend NATO countries with nuclear weapons. The report includes Marshal Zhukov's 1956 

Twentieth CPSU/CC Party Congress speech containing the only published Soviet discussion of tactical nuclear 

weapons during 1956. The report also examined the Soviet mass propaganda campaign on tactical nuclear 

weapons introduced in April 1957.

Document I-54. "Extent of CPSU Control over Political Indoctrination of the Soviet Armed Forces", CIA/DP 

Information Report, 16 October 1957 [DOI, late summer of 1957].

This reporting is about the diminished status of party control and political indoctrination under Khrushchev.

Document I-55. "Soviet Officer Reaction to Removal of Zhukov as Defense Minister; Current Activities of 

Grechko and Shtemenko", CIA/DP Information Report, 28 October 1957 [DOI, 26 October 1957].

This reporting includes speculation on the meaning of Zhukov's removal and the negative reaction of some 

Soviet military officers to the announcement.

Document I-56. "CC/CPSU Secret Letter Criticizing Political Work in the Soviet Army", CIA/DP Information 

Report, 3 November 1957 [DOI, 19 October 1957].

This reporting summarizes the contents of the CC/CPSU letter criticizing Zhukov's leadership and reinstating 

the "leading role" of the party.

Document I-57. "CC/CPSU Letter Concerning Removal of Zhukov as Minister of Defense", CIA/DP 

Information Report, 3 November 1957 [DOI, 1 November 1957].

This reporting describes the circumstances surrounding Zhukov's dismissal and his reaction to Khrushchev's 

explanation of the unanimous vote at the CPSU plenum. It also includes information on a separate unanimous 

vote by military leaders in favor of Zhukov's removal and described some of the charges made against Zhukov.

Document I-57a. "Correction to 'CC/CPSU letter concerning Removal of Zhukov as Minister of Defense", 

CIA/DP Information Report, 18 November 1957 [DOI, 18 November 1957].

Document I-58. Main Trends in Soviet Capabilities and Policies 1957-1962, NIE 11-4-57, 12 November 

1957.

This estimate was written following the ascendancy of Khrushchev. It was written just before Popov's forced 

return to Moscow and the end of his reporting. The NIE saw no change to the basic aims or in the concept of 

an irreconcilable conflict between the Communist and non-Communist worlds. The IC judged the most 

significant development during the period had been Soviet progress in developing advanced nuclear weapons 

and delivery systems. The NIE estimated the USSR would continue to maintain a balanced and flexible 

structure of strong naval, air, and ground forces, and it reported the Soviets appeared to have reduced 

considerably their military manpower from the peaks reached during the Korean War. The US military service 

intelligence organizations contributed the analysis concerning Soviet naval, ground, and air forces to this NIE.

Document I-59. "Soviet Army and Air Force Units in the Belorussia and Kiev Military Districts and East 

Germany", CIA/DP Information Report, 21 November 1957 [DOI, September and October 1957].

This reporting provides information from a Soviet document containing some unit designations in two military 

districts and East Germany. 

Document I-60. "Reprimand of Grechko by Zhukov and Other Criticisms of Zhukov", CIA/DP Information 

Report, 21 November 1957 [DOI, 27-29 October 1957].

This reporting describes a meeting of all ranking officers of the Soviet Ministry of Defense, military district 

commanders, and commanders of groups of forces, and the criticisms levied against Zhukov.
Document I-61. "Some Issues in the Purge of Marshal Zhukov", CIA/DI/FBIS Radio Propaganda Report, 

20 December 1957.

The report examines the history of the chronic intrusion of the CPSU agencies and activities into the regular 

military chain of command. It describes the degree of autonomy the military attained in the post-Stalin period, 

and the rise in the status and prestige of the professional soldier during the period that propelled Marshal 

Zhukov in June 1957 to a seat in the Party Presidium, the first professional soldier to gain such a position. 

Zhukov's administration of the Ministry of Defense had renewed the emphasis on the principle of one-man 

command in the armed forces reducing the influence of the Main Political Directorate, which functioned as a 

department of the Party Central Committee for the armed forces. This contrasted with earlier periods, when 

political officers either shared full command with the professional soldiers or retained control over political 

training. Following his efforts to, in effect, subordinate the political officers to military commander. Zhukhov 

was relieved from the duties as Defense Minister and purged from the Party Presidium and the CPSU Central 

Committee. FYI: in CIA documents we are describing, "party" was capitalized in cases where it was used to 

modify Presidium and Central Committee.

Document I-62. "Opinions on Soviet-Polish Relations Held by Soviet Military Officers with Service in 

Poland", CIA/DP Information Report, 29 January 1958 [DOI, November-December 1957].

The reporting relays information from conversations with Soviet military officials, who were stationed in 

Poland or had served on the Combined Staff of the Warsaw Pact. For example, the information claimed Polish 

relations with the USSR were not normal, and the situation in Poland and in the Polish Communist Party 

concerned the Soviets.

Document I-63. "GSFG Communist Party Conference Attended by Marshals Malinovskiy and Golikov", 

CIA/DP Information Report, 21 February 1958 [DOI, 6-7 February 1958].

This reporting describes the speeches made at the GSFG party conference by Marshal Malinovskiy and Army 

General Zakharov, commander of the GSFG.

Document I-64. "Soviet General Staff Theories on the Role of Missiles versus Heavy Bombers", CIA/DP 

Information Report, 26 February 1958 [DOI, December 1957].

This reporting relays information Popov heard from Soviet military officers, probably reflecting the content of 

the debate on the role of missiles and heavy bombers during this period.

Document I-65. "The Aftermath of Zhukov's Removal and Soviet Officer Attitudes toward Khrushchev and 

Furtseva", CIA/DP Information Report, 26 February 1958 [DOI, late 1957].

This reporting describes the Soviet Ministry of Defense [MOD] rumors about why and how Zhukov was 

removed and Khrushchev's agenda after the fact.

Document I-66. "Reassignment of Zhukov", CIA/DP Information Report, 27 February 1958 [DOI, late 1957].

This reporting provides MOD speculation on a new position for Zhukov and Soviet Army attitudes toward 

him.

The following six documents, provided by Popov, contain the information on TO&Es of Soviet forces that 

were extremely important to the analysts' understanding the changes to the Soviet forces during the 1950s.

Document I-67. "TO&E of a new Soviet Division—Heavy Tank Division", CIA/DP Information Report, 4 

March 1958 [DOI, prior to March 1958].

This reporting provides the first description from an inside source of the composition of a new heavy tank 

division, including definitive TO&Es of Soviet divisions that were not available from any other source.
Document I-68. "Composition of a Soviet Tank Division", CIA/DP Information Report, 14 March 1958 [DOI, 

1957].

This reporting describes a Soviet tank division TO&E, circa 1957, after the military was reorganized.

Document I-69. "Make-Up of a Motorized Rifle Division of the Soviet Army", CIA/DP Information Report, 

17 March 1958 [DOI, March 1958].

This reporting describes the reorganized TO&E of a Soviet motorized rifle division circa 1957.

Document I-70. "Elements of the Soviet Heavy Tank Division", CIA/DP Information Report, 21 March 1958 

[DOI, late 1957, or early 1958].

This reporting expands on the TO&E information contained in Document I-67.

Document I-71. "Function of Soviet Heavy Tank Divisions", CIA/DP Information Report, 4 April 1958 [DOI, 

prior to March 1958].

This reporting provides additional information about the heavy tank division described in Documents I-67 and 

I-70.

Document I-72. "Composition of the Soviet Combined Arms Army", CIA/DP Information Report, 13 May 

1958 [DOI, the spring of 1958].

This reporting describes the theoretical composition of a combined-arms army and some of its non-divisional 

combat and combat-support units, circa early 1958.

Document I-73. "Soviet Propaganda on the Nature of the Nuclear War Threat", CIA/DI/FBIS Radio 

Propaganda Report, 25 June 1958.

The report traces Soviet propaganda during the period mid-May 1957 through June 1958 on major themes 

related to the likelihood, danger, and consequences of a nuclear world war. Statements by Soviet political and 

military leaders, Soviet newspaper and journal articles, and routine radio propaganda were examined for the 

report.

Document I-74. "Rumor of a Personnel Reduction in the Soviet Ministry of Defense", CIA/DP Information 

Report, 24 July 1958 [DOI, mid-May 1958].

This reporting recounts gossip provided by contacts about a reduction of personnel at the MOD.

Document I-74a. "Continuation of 'Rumor on Personnel Reduction in the Soviet Ministry of Defense'", 

CIA/DP Information Report, 24 September 1958 [DOI, September 1958].

Document I-75. The Tie that Binds—Soviet Intrabloc Relations Feb 1956 to Dec 1957, CIA/DI/OCI 

Soviet Staff Study, Caesar VI-A and VII-58, July 1958.

This special study describes the origins of the reversal of Soviet bloc policy from extreme centralism under 

Stalin to decentralization following the February 1956 Soviet Twentieth Party Congress and the consequences 

of the reversal for Soviet management of its Eastern European "allies." The study describes the return to 

policies reflecting unity of the bloc and, on the surface, a return to stability after the 1956 Poznan riots in 

Poland and the Hungarian Revolution, with the dissidents under control and liberalism confined to economics.

Document I-76. "Dissolution of Soviet Military Advisory Groups in the Satellites", CIA/DP Information 

Report, 22 October 1958 [DOI, prior to mid-October 1958].

This reporting describes a decree stating the Soviet military advisory groups could be dissolved because the 

non-Soviet Warsaw Pact [NSWP] forces were "now" staffed by reliable cadres.
Document I-76a. Correction to "Dissolution of Soviet Military Advisory Groups in the Satellites", CIA/DP 

Information Report, 12 November 1958 [DOI, early September 1958].

Document I-77. "CC/CPSU Plenum Decree on the Need for Increased Security in the Handling of Classified 

Information", CIA/DP Information Report, 13 November 1958 [DOI, 13 September 1958].

This reporting describes a decree concerning the safeguarding of military and state secrets. The decree accused 

ministry officials, directors of factories, engineers, and workers, particularly those in organizations connected 

with "visiting foreign delegations from capitalist countries" of not protecting important government secrets.

Document I-77a. "Correction to 'CC/CPSU Plenum Decree on the Need for Increased Security in the 

Handling of Classified Information,'" CIA/DP Information Report, 11 December 1958 [DOI, September 1958].

Document I-78. Main Trends in Soviet Capabilities and Policies 1958-1963, NIE 11-4-58, 12 December 

1958.

The estimate was released one month after Khrushchev announced Soviet intentions to conclude a separate 

peace treaty with East Germany that in effect would terminate free Western access to West Berlin. The 

estimate announced that the lines of conflict with the West had been drawn more sharply and the "reduction of 

tensions" was no longer the major Soviet foreign policy theme. The IC estimated it was unlikely Soviet 

planners would count on East European forces in general to make an important contribution to Soviet military 

operations, except perhaps in air defense. According to the estimate, the Soviets were not evincing a level of 

trust in the reliability or capability of those forces. If anything, Soviet military planning and operations 

suggested to the authors a Soviet disdain for the contributions their allies might make, except perhaps in air 

defense and security for the Soviet lines of communication through their countries. Given the 1956 problems 

with Poland and Hungary and a certain arrogance forged in the victory over Nazi Germany, the IC judged the 

Soviets probably deemed it prudent not to trust their allies with important tasks.

Document I-79. "Soviet Elite Statements on Troop Withdrawal from Europe", CIA/DI/FBIS Radio 

Propaganda Report, 6 February 1959.

This report presents in chronological order all references to the withdrawal or reduction of foreign troops from 

Europe appearing in statements by CPSU Presidium members and top Soviet military leaders, in Soviet 

Government statements and notes, and in communiqués signed jointly by Soviet and other bloc leaders during 

the period 17 November 1956 through 29 January 1959.

Document I-80. "Strategic Surprise: Indications of a More Important Role in Soviet Military Doctrine", 

CIA/DI/FBIS Radio Propaganda Report, 11 May 1959.

This study analyzes Soviet propaganda beginning with the 1955 doctrinal revision on surprise attack to show 

the progression of military discourse after the successful Soviet ICBM tests during 1957. The sum total of the 

references in the Soviet press did not indicate any acceptance of a single view on the doctrinal implications of 

nuclear weapons. Chapter III describes how the doctrinal disagreements almost instantaneously overtook the 

issuance of a new field services regulations manual in 1959.

The following five articles, dated 1958–59, were not actually available until Colonel Penkovskiy's clandestine 

efforts in 1961–62. The articles reflect the doctrine and organizations of the late 1950s, before Khrushchev's 

1960s reorganization of the military.

Document I-81. "Principles of Combat Utilization of Atomic, Heavy Rocket, and Missile Artillery in an 

Offensive Operation of an Army", Information Collection of the Artillery, issue No. 46, 1958, CIA/ DP 

Clandestine Report Special Collection, 13 December 1961.

The article belongs to a collection of 29 articles on artillery issues published in the top secret Soviet military 
periodical named above. Other such articles are listed below. This one describes some theory on the use of 

tactical nuclear artillery and rockets. It also contains some basic rules for calculating optimum yields against 

certain targets. The information is on a more elementary level than what the US Department of 

Defense/Atomic Energy Commission (DOD/AEC) provided in the unclassified manual published for the 

general public in 1962. The information evidently was relatively new to the Soviet military, perhaps reflecting 

an increasing availability of nuclear weapons for, or soon to be for, the Soviet theater forces.

Document I-81a. "Principles of Combat Utilization of Atomic, Heavy Rocket, and Missile Artillery in an 

Offensive Operation", Information Collection of the Artillery, issue No. 46, 1958, CIA/ DP Clandestine 

Report Special Collection, 16 April 1962.

The article describes how to determine yield, height of burst, and safety standoff distances for the use of 

tactical nuclear munitions in an offensive operation by an army. The article also describes tasks the army 

artillery commander and his staff must address in planning the employment of nuclear, heavy rocket, and 

missile artillery. The calculations are similar to but not as complete as those in the DOD/AEC unclassified 

publication of 1962. This article is a continuation of the one in Document I-81 above.

Document I-82. "The Question of Fire Control of Missile Artillery", Information Collection of the

Artillery, issue No. 46, 1958, CIA/ DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 21 December 1961.

The article examines recommendations concerning the assignment of fire missions to missile artillery, the 

organization of adjustment, and the verification of the results of firing. The omission of nuclear fire missions 

probably reflected the arrival of new missiles in the forces with available conventional warheads and the lack 

of widely available associated nuclear warheads.

Document I-83. "Certain Questions in the Combat Utilization of Artillery in an Offensive Operation of an 

Army Being Moved from the Depth of Operational Deployment", Information Collection of the Artillery, 

issue No. 45, 1958, CIA/ DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 26 January 1962.

The article examines the combat use of field and antiaircraft (tube, missile) artillery mainly during preparation 

for and the beginning of an operation, the organization and planning of artillery reconnaissance, topographical 

preparation, and photo-grammetric8and meteorological support for the combat operations of artillery. The 

article was published before antiaircraft missiles and guided nuclear-armed tactical missiles were widely 

available to the Soviet ground forces.

Document I-84. "On the Problem of the Missions and Substance of Fire Planning and Preparation for Firing 

by Heavy Rocket Artillery", Information Collection of the Artillery, issue No. 46, 1958, CIA/ DP 

Clandestine Report Special Collection, 2 May 1962.

The article probes the differences between fire planning and existing operational doctrine of the heavy rocket 

artillery being introduced into the forces in the late 1950s. The discussion suggests that the heavy rocket 

systems did not yet fit comfortably into existing operational doctrine.

Document I-85. "The Use of Artillery in Support of an Army Counterattack", Information Collection of the 

Artillery, issue No.49, 1959, CIA/ DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 28 November 1961.

This article presents the authoritative opinion of the authors about the use of artillery in support of an army 

counterattack and covers the use of nuclear, chemical, and conventional munitions. The editor in chief's 

preface to the article introduces the journal's artillery collection and describes the intended audience. He 

requests "generals and officers to forward their comments on the contents of the present Collection." His 

request suggests that, at the time, nuclear doctrine was still in flux, the latest Field Services Manual [also 1959] 

notwithstanding.
Document I-86. CIA/CSI/ History Staff Monograph, The Central Intelligence Agency and Overhead 

Reconnaissance: The U-2 and Oxcart Programs, 16 July 2002.

This is CIA's history of the world's first great overhead reconnaissance program from 1954 to 1974. It 

describes the program's technological and bureaucratic aspects, and its political and international context. It 

tells the story of the struggle between the CIA and US Air Force to control the U-2 and A-12 programs. More 

importantly, it contains the details of the whole history of U-2 operations over the USSR during the search for 

information on the Soviet missile program.

Document I-87. CIA/CIS/History Staff, Center for Study of Intelligence, Cold War Records: CORONA: 

America's First Satellite Program, edited by Kevin C. Ruffner, 1995.

This is the story of the Corona program. The concept of this photoreconnaissance system was first broached in 

late 1957 after the U-2 had proved the value of the photography. The U-2 had limited area of coverage and was 

only an interim solution to fill the existing intelligence gap: its flights were infrequent and each carried 

enormous physical risks for the pilot and political risks for the country. But the U-2 photography did show 

facilities that had never been seen by western intelligence, from the nuclear test sites at Novaya Zemlya and 

Semipalatinsk to the missile launch facility at Tyuratam. When the Soviets brought down the U-2 in May 

1960, it left an intelligence gap that stretched across the 11 time zones of the Soviet Union. The charter of the 

Corona system was no less than to resolve the great debate over the number and capabilities of Soviet missiles 

targeted on the United States. The program was approved by President Eisenhower in February 1958 with the 

first successful recovery of useable film from space on 18 August 1960. The book covers the process that led 

to the decision to build Corona, the characteristics of the industry-government team that accomplished this 

goal in a short time and under enormous pressures, and the significance of the first successful satellite 

reconnaissance mission.9

1 Date of information (DOI) for the purpose of this paper is the date a document was published or an event took place. The 

disseminated date is the date the finished intelligence document was published or the date the clandestine information was 

disseminated. In some cases we may have the date the publication was sent to press in the Soviet Union, which may be a month 

or years earlier than the date of the issue.

2

For the purpose of this paper, the editors used the terms "clandestine report" to indicate a document procured by a source; and 

"clandestine reporting" to indicate factual reporting by the source or an opinion of the source.

3

See Document I-31

4 The London Conference decisions included: ending the occupation of West Germany; restoring its sovereignty and allowing the 

Allies to remain in the country; the rearmament of West Germany; and giving West Germany membership in NATO.

5

See also Documents I-67, 68, 70, 71, 72.

6 During the early period of missile development, the term missile presumed post-launch guidance ; the term rocket presumed no 

post-launch guidance.

7 GSFG is the abbreviation for Group of Soviet Forces Germany.

8

Photo-grammetric relates to the process of making surveys and maps through the use of photographs.

9 Adapted from remarks prepared for John Deutch, DCI, at the George Washington University Symposium, 23 May 1995: 

Corona and the Revolution in Intelligence.

↑ BACK TO CHAPTER 1
THE BERLIN CRISIS, COLONEL PENKOVSKIY, AND 

WARSAW PACT PREPARATIONS FOR MILITARY 

OPERATIONS (1958-61)

The documents in this section include three chronologies of the Berlin Crisis, reporting provided by Colonel 

Oleg Penkovskiy on Soviet plans for confronting the United States and its allies over Berlin and East Germany 

during the years 1961–62, and the special NIEs produced during the crisis. There are two documents passed by 

Penkovskiy, as well as numerous reports from Penkovskiy on the Soviet plans and intentions for Berlin. There 

are memoranda about Clandestine Service frustration with the failure of the DI to use its reporting without an 

evaluation of the source and DI analyses based on Penkovskiy's reports that played a major role in the planning 

process for US and allied responses to the Soviet threat.

Document II-1. "Extract of Khrushchev's 10 November 1958 Ultimatum on Berlin", 26 November 1958 

Documents on Germany 1944–1985, Foreign Relations of the United States, US Department of State, p 

542–546.

Document II-2. Probable Soviet Course of Action Regarding Berlin and Germany, NIE 100-2-59, 24 

February 1959.

The document provides an estimate of Soviet objectives and tactics for negotiations over Berlin and Germany. 

The IC looked at the likelihood of Soviet turnover of access controls to the East German regime and probable 

Warsaw Pact and NATO responses to the Soviet policy.

Document II-3. "Some Implications of Khrushchev's Speech to the Supreme Soviet", CIA/DI/ONE, 

Memorandum for the Director from Sherman Kent, Director ONE, 21 January 1960.

The memorandum provides the DCI with the ONE analysis of the Khrushchev speech announcing reductions 

in Soviet armed forces, his acceptance of the doctrine of mutual deterrence, and his view of future war, 

particularly a war with nuclear-armed missiles. It also provides ONE's view of Khrushchev's intentions to 

reduce Soviet ground forces and the role of the Soviet navy. The memorandum also provides an analysis of the 

economic, internal political and foreign policy implications of Khrushchev's speech.

Document II-4. The Soviet Attitude and Tactics on the Berlin Problem, Special National Intelligence 

Estimate [SNIE] 100-5-60, 22 March 1960.

The SNIE presents the information available one year before Penkovskiy began providing insights of Soviet 

intentions and the preparations of the Warsaw Pact for military action to support Khrushchev's threats. The 

estimate was intended to provide background for President Eisenhower before his summit with Khrushchev in 

May 1960.

Document II-5. "Soviet Propaganda on the German Question from the 1958 Berlin Crisis to Date", 

CIA/DI/FBIS Radio Propaganda Report, 22 April 1960.

The report is a thorough analysis of the timing and themes of the Soviet propaganda on the German question 

from November 1958, when Khrushchev initiated the Berlin crisis, to April 1960. It traces the tactical shifts 
that developed during the period leading up to the Eisenhower-Khrushchev summit scheduled for mid-May 

1960.

Document II-6. "Khrushchev's Strategy on Berlin", CIA/DI/OCI, Current Intelligence Weekly Summary, 

18 August 1960.

The report is an analysis of Soviet strategy and tactics following the Eisenhower-Khrushchev summit.

Document II-7. "Berlin Situation, and East German Refugee Flow Continues Despite Control Measures", 

CIA/OCI, Current Intelligence Weekly Summary, 15 September 1960. Part II, pp 5-8.

The summary reports East German actions bearing on the Berlin situation between 8 and 13 September that 

restricted movement of West Berliners travelling into East Berlin, a violation of the four-power agreements 

guaranteeing freedom of movement within the city. The second article documents the magnitude of the East 

German and East Berlin refugee flow west for the previous week and compares the figures with those of the 

previous year.

Document II-8. "Moscow and Berlin (Bloc Tactics)", CIA/DI/OCI Current Intelligence Weekly Summary, 

1 December 1960.

The article reviews the history of Soviet positions on Berlin from 1955 to December 1960 and describes Soviet 

tactics in pursuit of gaining Western acceptance of "two Germanys."

Document II-9. Main Trends in Soviet Capabilities and Policies, 1960-1965, NIE 11-4-60, 1 December 

1960.

The IC states that its attempt to forecast developments within the USSR and in Soviet power and policy over 

the next five years faced very severe limitations. The IC judges that the Soviets have the resources and 

mechanisms to ensure steady fulfillments of goals, but it is less certain about the development of Soviet 

military power than the economy. It acknowledges gaps in critical information for estimating future Soviet 

military capabilities. It addresses Soviet views on the balance of military power and on Soviet strategy and 

points out the acquisition of intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities was having a profound impact on the 

Soviet estimates of the balance of military power.

Document II-10. Chronology of the Berlin Problem since The Fall of 1958, CIA/DI/OCI, 20 March 

1961.

Document II-11. Soviet Short-Term Intentions Regarding Berlin and Germany, NIE 11-7-61, 25 April 

1961.

The NIE provides the IC estimate of Khrushchev's probable intentions for the summit meeting with the new 

US President, John F. Kennedy, scheduled for 3-4 June 1961.

Document II-12. "Soviet Policy on Berlin and Germany", CIA/DI/OCI Current Intelligence Weekly 

Summary, 11 May 1961.

The report provides an overview of the CIA's understanding of Khrushchev's policy and military moves 

beginning with his November 1958 speech. Although the paper was written after CIA had recruited 

Penkovskiy in April 1961, he had not yet reported on the Berlin crisis. No significant clandestine sources were 

providing information on Berlin. That came later—in June 1961.

Document II-13. "Soviet ICBM Program", CIA/ DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 16 May 1961 

[DOI, early May 1961].

This reporting contains Penkovskiy's comments on statements by Khrushchev regarding Soviet ICBM tests, 

production, deployment, and threats, all of which had been occurring simultaneously with the buildup of the 
Berlin crisis. Penkovskiy provided the basis for his judgment that Khrushchev was bluffing about the success 

of the Soviet ICBM program.

Document II-14. "Conversations with Messrs Ed Proctor and Jack Smith re Use of Chickadee Material in NIE 

11-8-61", CIA/DP Memorandum for the Record, John Maury, Chief SR Division, 7 June 1961.

The conversations focused on the failure of the DI and other IC analysts to use material from Penkovskiy about 

Soviet strategic attack capabilities in NIE 11-8-61 of 7 June 1961 and the problem consumers had in using 

clandestine-source information without an evaluation of the source. This is a particularly relevant illustration 

of what can happen when the source's reporting does not correlate well with what the customers believe. The 

matter of describing a source's credibility was a reoccurring problem for the Clandestine Service, which 

needed to protect its sources, and the DI analysts, who needed to provide the reader with a sense of the source's 

credibility.

Document II-15. Soviet and Other Reactions to Possible US Courses of Action with Respect to Berlin, 

SNIE 2-2-61, 11 July 1961.

The estimate addresses the question of probable reactions of the USSR, Communist China, and NATO to a set 

of measures reflecting US determination to preserve the Western position in Berlin. These measures included 

military, political, economic, and clandestine preparations designed to convey US intentions to undertake steps 

up to and including general war and to put the United States in a position to carry out those steps.

Document II-16. "East West Relations", CIA/DI/OCI Current Intelligence Weekly, 13 July 1961.

The analysis addresses Khrushchev's 8 July 1961 speech on a Berlin settlement, the US and Soviet military 

budgets, and troop reductions.

Document II-17. "Comments of a Senior Soviet General Officer concerned with military preparations for 

Berlin", CIA/ DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 13 July 1961 [DOI, late June 1961].

This reporting contains opinions and information that Marshal S. S. Varentsov discussed with Penkovskiy on 

Khrushchev's intentions for a peace treaty with Germany and preparations for Soviet military actions, should 

they become necessary. The report includes Penkovskiy's recommended reactions to Khrushchev's moves. This 

is probably the report that Allen Dulles briefed to President Kennedy on 14 July 1961.

The following two documents illustrate the dissemination of Penkovskiy's report, Document II-17.

Document II-18. Assessment of [redacted] CIA/DP, Memorandum for the Record, John Maury, Chief SR 

Division, 13 July 1961.

The memo reports on a meeting to assess current clandestine reporting on the Berlin situation. On 13 July 1961 

officers also briefed DCI Dulles on the Penkovskiy report.

Document II-19. Pages from the 14 July 1961 calendars of DCI Allen Dulles, his secretary, and from 

President Kennedy's 14 July 1961 appointment agenda noting Dulles' scheduled and unscheduled meetings 

with President Kennedy that day when he was to brief President Kennedy on Document II-17 above.10

Document II-20. [Chronology of] "Selected Statements by Khrushchev on Berlin", CIA/DI/OCI, 15 July 

1961.

This chronology begins with an excerpt from Khrushchev's 10 November 1958 speech and pulls together his 

increasingly menacing rhetoric through 18 July 1961, around the time when Penkovskiy began reporting on the 

crisis from inside the Soviet government. OCI produced the list for DCI Dulles at his request after he briefed 

President Kennedy on 14 July 1961. The timing suggests the list was intended as additional background for the 

President on Khrushchev's intentions.
Document II-21. "Meeting No.18 [clandestine meeting with Oleg Penkovskiy]", CIA/DO, 18 July 1961.

This is a transcript of a meeting with Penkovskiy in which he provided important information about the 

concerns and opinions of the Soviet Generals witting of the meetings of the Soviet Supreme Military Council 

on the Berlin Crisis. In this meeting, Penkovskiy provided the information about Berlin disseminated in special 

information reports to the highest levels of the US government. Unfortunately, three of the disseminated 

reports have not been found in the CIA archives, but were read much earlier by one of the editors of this study. 

Moreover, they are referred to in other record documents provided in this study. This transcript is provided 

here to document the receipt of the information by the CIA and to support the other derivative references 

included in this study. The reader of the transcription of the discussions between the case officer and 

Penkovskiy will get some appreciation of how important it is to separate a source's opinion based on fact, 

rumors, relevancy or emotion before writing an official document for dissemination.

Document II-22. "Berlin", National Security Council Memorandum, 21 July 1961, [DOI, 7-12 July 1961].

The memorandum, with hand written notes by McGeorge Bundy, discusses the need for decisions on the 

Berlin situation by Monday, 24 July 196111 Those include recommendations for active measures in East 

Germany, a long-term military buildup, military courses of action in the event access to West Berlin is 

blocked, and proposals and negotiating positions for possible negotiations on Berlin. McGeorge Bundy's hand 

written notes indicate the memorandum is for President Kennedy.

Document II-23. "Briefing of General Maxwell Taylor on [redacted] Material", John Maury, Chief RS 

Division, CIA/DP, Memorandum for the Record, 22 July 1961.

During the briefing, General Taylor requested DCI Dulles brief the President on the Penkovskiy reports and 

that CIA send the general all further reports.

Document II-24. "Soviet Efforts to Determine Western Planning on the Berlin Situation", CIA/DP 

Clandestine Report Special Collection, 24 July 1961 [DOI, mid-July 1961].

This reporting describes an order from the Soviet government to all embassies in capitalist countries requiring 

their personnel to use all intelligence means to collect information on the participation of each NATO country 

in decisions on the Berlin situation.

Document II-24a. Comment on Document II-24, CIA/DI/OCI, 26 July 1961.

The OCI analysts stated that the report was plausible, but they had no physical evidence of the "order" to 

collect intelligence, and that several features of the report departed from normal Soviet operational practices.

Document II-25. "Chronology of Events Concerning the Berlin Situation since 27 June 1961" with an Annex 

addressing Soviet Capabilities to Hinder the Use of Berlin Airfields and "Conclusions of Special USIB 

Subcommittee on the Berlin Situation" attached, 25 July 1961.

The annex addresses the capabilities the Soviet forces had to totally disrupt the electronic navigational aids and 

communications that would be required by a Berlin airlift operation. The conclusions of the USIB 

subcommittee address Khrushchev's statements that he will not be deterred from his policy on Germany and 

Berlin preferring early negotiations on Germany and Berlin and other statements including some private 

comments indicating a preference for a four-power conference. The document also states there was no 

convincing evidence that Khrushchev had altered his intention to wait until the West German elections or for 

the CPSU Congress to conclude in October, and might be satisfied if negotiating began before the end of the 

year. Finally it points out that the internal situation has produced a serious situation for the East German 

regime as the situation continues to deteriorate.

Document II-26. Text of President Kennedy's Radio and TV address to the American people on the 

Berlin Crisis, Office of the White House Press Secretary, delivered 25 July 1961.
Document II-27. Memorandum for DCI, from B. Gen. C.V. Clifton, Defense Liaison Officer [to the White 

House], 26 July 1961.

The memorandum indicates that President Kennedy said he had seen two specific CIA reports on Tuesday in 

preparation for a speech he delivered on Berlin on 25 July 1961. The editors have been unable to locate the 

first document mentioned in the memorandum but it is probably a disseminated document based on the 

material contained in Document II-21. The second document is Document II-24.

Document II-28. "Developments re: [Penkovskiy]", CIA/DP Memorandum for the Record from John Maury, 

Chief SR Division, 3 August 1961.

The memorandum reports dissemination of Penkovskiy's reports to EUCOM and USAREUR had been 

authorized. Mr. Maury also reports the reactions of the US Ambassador to the Soviet Union to the clandestine 

reporting contained in Document II-29 about the decree of the CPSU/Central Committee on the KennedyKhrushchev summit. The memorandum confirmed that President Kennedy was briefed on this material.

Document II-29. "Decree of the Central Committee of the CPSU Concerning the Vienna Talks of Premier 

Khrushchev and President Kennedy", CIA/ DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 7 August 1961 [DOI, 

17 June 1961].

This reporting presents Soviet instructions on dissemination of information about the Vienna talks to various 

echelons of the party and to foreign governments in an attempt to gain support for the Soviet version of events.

Document II-30. "Preliminary CIA/OCI Analysis of East German Restriction on Travel to West Berlin", 

CIA/DI/OCI Cable to White House Hyannis, 13 August 1961.

In the analysis OCI reviews the series of decrees introduced by East Germany introducing severe new control 

measures designed to stop immediately the flow of refugees to West Berlin and West Germany. OCI judges 

that it was unusual for the Warsaw Pact to devote its attention to specific domestic problems of a member 

nation, and that the announcement is bound to increase the already high tensions in East Germany and likely to 

sharply increase spontaneous outbreaks in East Berlin and East Germany of disturbances such as strikes, riots 

and anti-regime activities.

Document II-31. Stability of East Germany in a Berlin Crisis, SNIE 12-4-61, 15 August 1961.

The SNIE was published two days after the start of the construction of the Berlin Wall. It examines the lack of 

popular support for the East German regime, the possibilities of anti-regime activities, East German military 

capabilities, and support the East German Army would require from the Soviets. It also speculates on possible 

East German reactions to Western military options and on the reliability and willingness of the East German 

Army to fight.

Document II-32. Memorandum, from General Lemnitzer, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to General 

Norstad, CINCEUR, Paris, transmitting orders for the Berlin Crisis, 16 August 1961.12

The memorandum transmits the Secretary of Defense's directive to the Joint Chiefs of Staff to request General 

Norstad to "commence more detailed planning on a unilateral US basis as a matter of urgency." General 

Norstad was to plan to apply nonnuclear military power on a larger scale than heretofore envisaged to induce 

the communists to reopen access to Berlin. General Norstad also was directed to plan for the use of nuclear 

weapons.

Document II-33. "Berlin", CIA/OCI, Current Intelligence Weekly Summary, 17 August 1961.

This is an in depth analysis of the East German decrees issued on 7 August and reported in Document II-30 

and a brief analysis in Document II-31. This analysis covers the decrees, the refugee flights, traffic between 

West Berlin and West Germany and interference with communications linking East Germany, West Berlin and 

West Germany. It also reports on the Soviet military movements in East Germany and East Berlin, popular 
reaction, Soviet position on the East German new controls and the reactions in West Germany and West 

Berlin.

Document II-34. "Polish Views on Soviet Stand with regard to Berlin and German Issues", CIA/DP 

Information Report, 21August 1961 [DOI, early August 1961].

This reporting states the Warsaw Pact members met in Moscow in August 1961 and convinced Khrushchev 

and other members of the Soviet and the East German delegations not to set a definite deadline for a final 

solution of the East German peace treaty and the Berlin problem.

Document II-34a. Memorandum, from McGeorge Bundy, National Security Advisor, to General Godfry 

McHugh, Air Force Aide to President Kennedy, 21 August 1961.13

The memorandum transmits the information in Document II-34 for the 22 August 1961 morning briefing of the 

President. The information, provided by "an East European source", described an early August meeting of 

Warsaw Pact members in Moscow regarding the Berlin situation and the CPSU/CC party congress scheduled 

for October-November 1961.

Document II-35. Soviet Tactics in the Berlin Crisis, Special National Intelligence Estimate 11-10-61, 24 

August 1961.

The SNIE reevaluates the conclusions upon which SNIE 12-4-61 (Document II-31) was based in light of 

additional information eleven days after the start of construction on the Berlin Wall. The estimate projects 

likely Soviet tactics in the Berlin crisis for the next few months, paying particular attention to what effect 

possible developments within East Germany could have on those tactics during the same period.

Document II-36. "View of Soviet Officials on Soviet Policy Regarding Berlin", CIA/DP Clandestine Report 

Special Collection, 25 August 1961 [DOI, up to 10 August 1961].

This reporting describes concerns of officials at the Soviet Foreign Ministry about the difficult position in 

which the Berlin situation had put the Soviet government. They viewed President Kennedy's 25 July speech as 

the inevitable response to Khrushchev's actions. Penkovskiy claimed the West had achieved a small victory 

because Khrushchev was once again talking about negotiating with a softer tone. Penkovskiy reported that, 

although the Berlin problem was not on the agenda for the 22nd Party Congress, it almost certainly would be 

discussed there.

Document II-37. Annex A: "Soviet Military Forces and Capabilities", and Annex B: "Tables of Sino-Soviet 

Bloc Military Strengths and Characteristics of Selected Weapons and Equipment" to NIE 11-4-61, Main 

Trends in Soviet Capabilities and Policies, 1961-1966, with the attachment "Selected Developments of 

Major Significance to Soviet Military Forces and Capabilities", CIA/DI/ONE, 24 August 1961.

The annexes superseded Annexes A and B of NIE 11-4-60 and were to be revised and reissued with the full 

text of the NIE 11-4-61 scheduled for completion in December 1961.The annexes describe the changes made 

in Warsaw Pact military strengths and the characteristics of selected forces, weapons, and equipment since the 

previous NIE was issued on 1 December 1960 [Document II-9 above].

Document II-37a. Memorandum, from Acting DCI Cabell for General Taylor forwarding material for 

President Kennedy, Current Status of Soviet and Satellite Military Forces and Indications of Military 

Intentions, 6 September 1961.

The information for the President is an update of information contained in Annex A and Annex B to NIE 11-4-

61 [Document II-37] Soviet and Satellite forces in Europe facing NATO, published 24 August 1961. 

This memorandum describes changes the Soviets had made in their capabilities since the publication of the 

Estimate 24 August 1961.
Document II-38. "Khrushchev's Intentions Regarding Germany, a Summit Conference, Iran, and Turkey, and 

a Realignment of Soviet Military Commanders and Cancellation of Senior Officer Leave", CIA/ DP 

Clandestine Report Special Collection, 1 September 1961 [DOI, 21 August 1961].

According to this reporting, Khrushchev thought a treaty with East Germany would be signed, and he did not 

plan to add anything to what he had already said during any future negotiations on a Berlin Treaty. Penkovskiy

also reported military preparations were under way, including changes to commands and the cancellation of 

leave for high-ranking officers. Penkovskiy claimed the Soviets had information the United States was making 

military preparations in Iran and Turkey in connection with the Berlin problem.

Document II-38a. Memorandum from L.D. Battle, Executive Secretary Department of State, to McGeorge 

Bundy, The White House, transmitting Department of State Bureau of Intelligence and Research [INR] 

comments on CIA Report CSDB-3/647/945, Concerning Soviet Intentions on Germany, Iran [Document II38]. 1 September 1961.

Document II-38b. CIA Report Concerning Soviet Intentions on Germany, Iran, Memorandum from INR 

to the Secretary of State 1 September 1961.

INR comments on the veracity of the source, and singles out two significant points: a separate treaty will be 

signed with the GDR and the USSR will deliver an ultimatum to Iran and Turkey demanding the removal of 

foreign troops and bases; and threatening to occupy Iran if his ultimatum is not met.

Document II-39. Blind Memorandum probably from CIA Associate Director of Office of National Estimates, 

forwarding an advanced copy of SNIE 11-11-61, Soviet Requirement to Resume Nuclear Testing, 1 

September 1961.

This is an advanced copy of SNIE 11-11-61, Implications of the Soviet Resumption of Nuclear Testing

[Document II-39b]. According to a handwritten note on page 1 this version of the SNIE was sent to the DCI 

for General Maxwell Taylor and it is the same version sent to the DCI for General Taylor.

Document II-39a. Memorandum for the President from General Taylor, 6 September 1961.

The memorandum is forwarding a 1 September 1961 CIA document analyzing probable Soviet motives for 

resuming nuclear testing. It appears to be an advance copy of SNIE 11-11-61 published 7 September 1961.

Document II-39b. Implications of the Soviet Resumption of Nuclear Testing, SNIE 11-11-61, 7 

September 1961.

The report estimates the motives for the Soviet decision to resume nuclear testing, and its implications for 

Soviet foreign and military policies during the months ahead.

Document II-40. Evaluation of CSDB regarding "Soviet Bloc Exercises in Preparation to Strike the 

'first Blow,' and Other Matters",

14Indications Center Watch Committee, 23 September 1961.

According to the CIA/DCI National Indications Center/Watch Committee memorandum evaluating this 

CIA/DP clandestine report, which is the only information we have on it, in this report Penkovskiy predicted 

that a decision on whether the USSR would launch preemptive hostilities against the West would be made in 

the near future by the CPSU/CC at its party congress, which was scheduled to begin deliberations on 17 

October 1961. Penkovskiy also reported that the real decision on hostilities more likely would be made by the 

Presidium or by Khrushchev and his closest associates only. Penkovskiy claimed the hostilities would not take 

place until after the signing of a German Peace Treaty. Penkovskiy also reported a civil defense directive was 

issued on 18 August in an effort to spur civil defense preparations and that a large exercise involving Soviet 

forces began in Germany on 20 September. The memorandum states the committee did not evaluate the report 

as a specific indication of a Soviet intention to launch a preemptive attack in the Berlin situation. The 

committee viewed the report as a prediction that a decision might be made in the near future when the situation 

warranted. The committee believed the information did not reflect the political factors or basic strategic 

concepts of the people around Khrushchev, who would have been involved in the real decisions.
Document II-41. Address before the General Assembly of the United Nations, President John F 

Kennedy, 25 September 1961.

President Kennedy described the Berlin crisis, including threats of the Soviet Union against access to Berlin 

and the Western response.

Document II-42. "CIA Report on Soviet Plans and Policies Related to the German Situation", Blind 

Memorandum from Department of State, INR, 28 September 1961.

The INR analysis calls the CIA report an outline of a Soviet course of action as the Berlin crisis moves along, 

INR believes the Soviet plans are plausible but more ominous in intention than other reports. The key 

differences INR sees in this report are the Soviet intentions in the period preceding the signing of a peace 

treaty with East Germany. For example, using Warsaw Pact military exercises as a cover for preparations for a 

"first strike, will not, in itself, allow the United States to be certain", bringing uncertainty into what to expect. 

The report suggests that INR's previous assessment that Khrushchev does not regard nuclear war as a means of 

achieving his objective was wrong or that he is prepared to run higher risks.

Document II-43. National Indications Center Watch Committee Memorandum for Members of USIB, 

Informal notes on paragraphs of CSDB: "Soviet Plans and Policies Related to the German Situation",15 30 

September 1961.

According to the memorandum, in this reporting Penkovskiy "clarifies and considerably expands" the 

information he provided in Document II-40. Penkovskiy asserted Khrushchev had already decided to sign a 

German treaty "right after" the CPSU party congress and "to strike first against the West if the situation 

warrants action after the treaty is signed." The memorandum reported the apparent Soviet readiness to 

negotiate was designed to keep the situation in hand while the Warsaw Pact ground forces maneuvered (into 

place) and resumed nuclear weapons tests. The committee memorandum assesses the reported Soviet course of 

action as plausible and considerably tougher and more ominous than previous reports and predicted a sharp 

increase in international tensions in the future should it come to fruition.

Document II-44. "USSR-Warsaw Pact", CIA/DI/OCI Central Intelligence Bulletin Daily Brief, 26 

September 1961.

The brief reports the 25 September 1961 Soviet announcement that the Warsaw Pact would conduct a military 

exercise on the territory of member countries in October and November 1961.

Document II-45. "Conversation with Mr. Helms Regarding Report on Large Scale Soviet Military 

Preparations", CIA/DP Memorandum for the Record, from John Maury, Chief, SR Division, 26 September 

1961.

Maury recounted a conversation with Helms about Penkovskiy's clandestine reports in Documents II-42 and II43. The two discussed the validity of the information and the problems of reconciling some of the information 

with Soviet security and policy positions, They concluded Penkovskiy was in a position to keep the United 

States posted on the purpose of the maneuvers taking place in East Germany.

Document II-46. Pouch List of clandestine reports sent to Newport, RI, for President Kennedy at the summer 

White House, CIA/DP, 27 September 1961.

The list includes the two Penkovskiy reports described in Documents II-42 and II-43.

Document II-47. Soviet Tactics in the Berlin Crisis, SNIE 11-10/1-61, 5 October 1961.

This is a follow-on special estimate to SNIE 11-10-61 that was based on Penkovskiy reporting [Documents II42 and II-43] regarding Soviet military preparations to be undertaken in advance of a showdown with the West 

and on Soviet plans to try to influence Western attitudes toward negotiations on Berlin.
Document II-48. "Soviet Tactics in the Berlin Crisis", "Reaction in Eastern Europe to the Berlin Crisis", 

"Suspect Elements Moved from East German Border Zone", "East-West Developments", and "The 

Forthcoming Soviet Party Congress", CIA/DI/OCI Current Intelligence Weekly Summary, 12 October 

1961.

The first article describes Soviet tactics and intentions following President Kennedy's 25 July address to the 

nation on the Berlin Crisis, including the steps Khrushchev had been willing to take to ensure his Berlin 

strategy was successful. The second article contains the judgment that most East Europeans were nervous 

about the East-West crisis over Berlin and that East European leaders had had only limited success in 

reassuring the public. The third reported that the East German Police and militia evacuation of a fivekilometer-wide East German border zone of residents and their families, who were deemed politically 

unreliable by the Ulbrich regime, went smoothly. The fourth article reported statements by Soviet and East 

German leaders that did not address the deadline for a German peace treaty, suggesting to analysts that the 

deadline might be withdrawn. The final article reported Gromyko's 6 October talks with US officials that 

analysts judged may have been an attempt to resolve the Berlin situation.

Document II-49. Address by Roswell L. Gilpatric, Deputy Secretary of Defense, before the Business Council 

at The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia, 21 October 1961.

Gilpatric made the speech in response to Khrushchev's threats on Berlin and to provide a public warning of the 

importance the United States attached to the freedom of West Berlin and West Germany.

Document II-50. "New Emphasis on Strengthening Soviet Strategic Missile Capabilities", CIA/ DP 

Clandestine Report Special Collection, 25 January 1962 [DOI, mid-January 1962].

According to this reporting, an "evolution" had taken place in the policies of Khrushchev and his government 

toward resolving the Berlin crisis. Because his methods to this end had failed, Khrushchev intended to produce 

in 1962 enough strategic missiles with nuclear warheads to attack all NATO countries and bases. Penkovskiy 

also reported that the headquarters of Marshal Kirill Moskalenko, who commanded strategic missile forces, 

would not be combined with that of Marshal of Artillery Varentsov, who was in charge of tactical missiles. 

General purpose forces would no longer receive as great attention and appropriations as in 1961. Moskalenko's 

forces would be built up rapidly. Missiles and other armaments for the ground forces would be scaled back and 

400,000 soldiers and sergeants had been demobilized. The resulting savings were to be applied to strategic 

weapons.

Document II-51. Critique of a Front's16 Two-Stage Operational-Rear Exercise Conducted in July 

1961, by Commander in Chief of Ground Troops, Marshal of the Soviet Union Chuykov, and the Chief of the 

Main Staff of the Ground Troops, General of the Army Popov, a Russian top secret document published by the 

Soviet Ministry of Defense in July 1961, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 14 March 1962.

The article is a scathing critique of the poor readiness of the Carpathian Military District Forces. The major 

exercise described in the document may have been part of the preparations of the Soviet buildup for a Berlin 

confrontation. The serious operational problems uncovered in the exercise could well have contributed to the 

unease among the higher military circles in Moscow reported by Penkovskiy.

Document II-52. "The Commitment of a Front Second Echelon to an Engagement", by Col. N. Kalayev and 

Lt. Col. A. Tarsov, Military Thought secret issue No. 6, 1962, CIA/ DP Clandestine Report Special 

Collection, 16 May 1977.

The article examines the heightened and varied roles of the second echelon of a front in offensive operations in 

1962 compared with those during WW II. The authors cited several examples from exercises of the GSFG and 

specifically referred to the October 1961 GSFG exercise—conducted at the height of the Berlin crisis—to 

support their contention that the second echelon could be used to repulse enemy counterattacks, or to engage a 

strong enemy grouping after it has been neutralized by nuclear weapons. The article is included here because 

of its relevance to the 1961 major exercises conducted during the Berlin crisis of 1961.
10 See John F. Kennedy National Library website.

11 See Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS), 1961-1963, Volume XIV, Berlin Crisis 1961-1962, United States Printing 

Office 1993, Document 80. That document replicates National Security Action Memorandum No. 62, 24 July 1961 stating 

presidential approval of guidance and instruction for the heads of departments and agencies actions relating to the subjects of the 

19 July Memo (See FRUS document 77).

12 See Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS), Western Europe: Berlin, Volumes XII/XIV/XV, Microfiche Supplement, 

p. 65.

13 A Cardboard Castle? An Inside History of the Warsaw Pact 1955-1991, edited by Vojtech Mastny and Malcolm Byrne, 

Central European University Press, Budapest, New York,, p. xxviii. According to the chronology, during an "August 3-4 Warsaw 

Pact Summit meeting in Moscow, the Soviets agreed to the closing of the borders between East and West Berlin. They also 

prepared for the signing of a separate peace treaty with East Germany and a possible military confrontation with the Western 

powers over access to Berlin."

14 The editors have been unable to locate this Penkovskiy document.

15 The editors have been unable to locate this Penkovskiy document.

16 The Front is a Soviet term for the highest wartime field headquarters for the joint operational control of

General Purpose forces.

↑ BACK TO CHAPTER 2

DEBATES ON SOVIET MILITARY DOCTRINE AND 

STRATEGY: THE CONTRIBUTION OF CLANDESTINE 

SOURCE, COLONEL OLEG PENKOVSKIY (1960–64)

The documents selected for this chapter are mainly those Col. Penkovskiy provided that contain the debate 

among Soviet high-ranking military officers on military doctrine conducted during the period 1960-1962. The 

debate centered on the role of nuclear weapons and missiles in a war with NATO in Europe. The collection 

includes articles by both sides in the debate, some of which directly attack positions taken by other officers in 

articles appearing in the special collection of Top Secret Military Thought issues. In addition, there are 

several Caesar, OCI and FBIS studies addressing those issues. Penkovskiy also provided copies of current 

classified Field Regulations the doctrinal debates sought to modify. Finally, there is a copy of a retrospective 

paper written by a CIA senior analyst for the Center for the Study of Intelligence in 1972 that provides a fairly 

comprehensive review of the type of information contained in the material Penkovskiy turned over and how it 

informed CIA military analysis during the 1960s and into the 1970s.

Document III-1. Khrushchev on Nuclear Strategy, CIA/DI/OCI, Current Intelligence Staff Study Caesar 

XI-60, 19 January 1960.
The paper describes Khrushchev's public statements on policies for the employment of nuclear weapons during 

the period 1958–60, including his 14 January 1960 report to the Supreme Soviet. Khrushchev's nuclear policies 

would have a major impact on the general purpose forces and the doctrine for going to war with NATO.

Document III-2. "The Impact of Khrushchev's Troop-Cut Speech on Soviet Military Doctrine", CIA/DI/FBIS 

Radio Propaganda Report, April 1960.

The report analyzes the military responses to Khrushchev's 14 January 1960 Supreme Soviet speech. For 

example, Soviet military spokesmen credited Khrushchev as a military theorist and his views on war and 

strategy as a contribution to doctrine. Articles in the Soviet military press endorsed statements in the speech 

countering long-held doctrinal tenets and were the first revisions of a general strategic nature acknowledged in 

the open press after 1955. The report concluded "the estimate that seems implicit in the doctrinal position now 

adopted by the military is that the USSR has now acquired, or will soon have, a sufficient quantity and a 

sufficiently versatile system of launch vehicles to permit greater overall reliance on these weapons than in the 

past."

Document III-3. Field Service Regulations of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union (Division-Corps), 

published by the USSR Ministry of Defense in Moscow on 2 March 1959, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special 

Collection, 19 December 1961.

The manual supersedes the Field Service Regulations of the Armed Forces of the Union of SSRs 

(Corps-Division) of 1948 and the Manual on the Characteristics of the Conduct of Combat 

Operations under Conditions of the Employment of Nuclear Weapons (Corps-Battalion) of 1954. It 

includes an order signed by Minister of Defense Marshal Malinovskiy announcing the publication of the 

manual. According to his remarks, the regulations take into account the threat of nuclear weapons by an enemy 

and his proposals for their use.

Document III-4. "Political Implications of the New Soviet Military Doctrine", CIA/DI/ FBIS Radio 

Propaganda Report, 10 September 1962.

The report compares Khrushchev's 1960 Supreme Soviet Speech with Malinovskiy's October 1961 22nd 

CPSU/CC Party Congress speech on military doctrine. Aspects covered include surprise attack, nuclear war, 

the role of conventional weapons and forces, troop cuts, the questions of resource allocation to consumer 

goods and light industry versus heavy, military industry, and the implications of the U-2 "invasion" of Soviet 

air space for increased vigilance and forces.

Document III-5. Soviet Naval Strategy and Its Effect on the Development of Naval Forces, 1953-63,

CIA/DI/ORR, 22 October 1963.

This study of Soviet naval strategy contains a section describing the general development of military strategy 

in the Soviet military in the 1950s. In the author's words; "All sources of intelligence and, in particular, highly 

classified articles on Soviet military science and art relating to naval matters, that were published in a TOP 

SECRET Special Collection series of the principal Soviet military journal Voyennaya mysl' [Military 

Thought] have been analyzed in this report for the purpose of deriving current Soviet naval mission, strategy, 

tasks, policies, and future trends and their effect on the development of [Soviet] naval forces."

Document III-6. "Establishment of the Top Secret Special Collection of Articles of the Journal, Military 

Thought, by the Ministry of Defense, USSR", Editor's Preface to the initial issue of the collection, issue No.1, 

1960, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 8 November 1961.

The article is a verbatim translation of remarks by the editor of Military Thought appearing in the initial issue 

of the special collection. It was released in the USSR in early 1960.17
Document III-7. Soviet Military Thought on Future War, (Doctrine and Debate since 1960), Soviet Staff 

Study, Caesar XIV-62, CIA/DI/OCI, 3 April 1962.

The study is based entirely on open-source Soviet materials, principally the theoretical military journals and 

textbooks on military science. The articles contain indications of Soviet military thinking on future war, the 

making of military doctrine in the USSR, strategic doctrine for the first attack, doctrine for war after the first 

attack, and an appendix on the status of Soviet military doctrine on the eve of WW II.

Document III-8. "Coordination of Adjacent Units during the Use of Nuclear/Missile Weapons in Operations", 

Military Thought, secret issue No. 6, 7 December 1961, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 8 

June 1962.

The article reflects the real challenges confronting the Soviet military as it sought to integrate the military 

doctrine represented by the 1959 field service regulations with everyday military operational practice.

Document III-9. Soviet Strategic Doctrine for the Start of War, CIA/DI/OCI Soviet Staff Study, Caesar 

XVI-62, 3 July 1962.

This document is the second in a series of Caesar reports on problems of Soviet military thought and policy. 

[For the first report, see Document III-7.] The study addresses a more narrow aspect of the issue, first attack. It 

draws on classified Soviet documents as well as public materials to examine the thinking and planning of 

Soviet military leaders for future war and specifically for its initial phase. It covers Soviet attitudes toward the 

first phase of nuclear war, the case for preemptive attack, and some implications of preemption.

Document III-10. Soviet 1962 Field Service Regulations of the Armed Forces of the Union of SSR's 

(Division-Regiment), published by the Ministry of Defense of the USSR, March 1962, CIA/DP Clandestine 

Report Special Collection, 30 April 1963.

The manual was published with only a short time lapse between the publication of this new edition of the field 

service regulations and the 1959 edition. The new version reflects the turmoil in doctrinal development in the 

Soviet Ministry of Defense. The final version of this manual is not available, but it almost certainly reflected 

this draft and the comments of Marshall Chuykov contained in Document III-11. The clandestinely obtained 

draft version reproduced here was released in Moscow in 1962.

Document III-11. "The New Field Service Regulations of the Armed Forces of the USSR", by Marshal of the 

Soviet Union V. Chuykov, special collection, Military Thought top secret issue No. 1, 1964, CIA/DP 

Clandestine Report Special Collection, 14 December 1978.

The article, though not available to US intelligence until 1978, provides an organized and informative 

discussion of the field service regulations of the armed forces of the USSR. It explains the importance of the 

regulations to the training and understanding of Soviet doctrine and strategies resulting from the development 

and introduction of new weapons to forces. This document is included here because it offers documentary 

testimony of the importance of the field service regulations to the Soviet armed forces, an importance long 

appreciated by US intelligence analysts.

Document III-12. "Essential Facts of the Penkovskiy Case", from Deputy Director for Plans, Richard Helms, 

CIA/DP Memorandum for the DCI, 31 May 1963.

In the memorandum, Helms reports, "The Penkovskiy case covered the period August 1960 through August 

1962 and provided more than 8,000 pages of translated reporting, most of which constituted highly classified 

Soviet Ministry of Defense documents." During three lengthy sessions with him, every Western intelligence 

requirement of any priority was covered, and all aspects of his knowledge and access were explored. "Over 90 

percent of the approximately 5,000 [sic] pages of Russian-language documentary information provided by him 

concerned military subjects. Roughly half of the information came from the GRU18 Library, while the 

remainder was acquired by him in the missile and artillery headquarters of Marshal Varentsov or at the 

Dzerhinskiy Academy."
Document III-13. "Soviet Military Demonstrates Resistance to Threatened Force Cuts", CIA/DI/FBIS Radio 

Propaganda Report, 17 January 1964.

The report examines the failure of military spokesmen to even mention Khrushchev's force cuts announced in 

his 13 December 1963 speech to the concluding plenum of the CPSU/CC and later linked by Khrushchev to a 

reduction in the military budget in the month following his speech. Instead, according to the report, military 

spokesmen had gone out of their way to defend the concept of large ground forces under the current military 

conditions. For example, one week after Khrushchev's speech, an article by Marshal Chuykov in the 21 

December issue of Izvestiya19 presented an argument against cutting troops while the West continued to build 

up its forces.

Document III-14. "Conservative Doctrines Gain New Currency in Soviet Military Discourse", CIA/DI/FBIS 

Radio Propaganda Report, 11 May 1964.

This report examines evidence of a renewed interest in conservative military doctrine just three months after 

the report of conservative agitation in Document III-13. The report could not identify any development that the 

conservative military elements would regard as a threat to their interests. According to the report, a number of 

articles had appeared in the military press [again] in just a few weeks time in which some authors openly 

argued that traditional methods and conventional arms deserved continued attention despite the contemporary 

revolution in military affairs. According to the analysis, other authors had complained that this time the 

conservatives had held back the forward movement of military science.

Document III-15. "Soviet Debate over Military Doctrine: Primacy of Modernist Position", CIA/DI/FBIS 

Radio Propaganda Report, 18 September 1964.

This is the third FBIS report [Documents III-13 and III-14] on the discussions in the military press on the 

impact of modern technology on strategy ongoing after January 1964. In the past, the predominance of articles 

supported the traditionalist point of view, but the new entries, including a major article in two parts by Marshal 

Sokolovskiy and Major General Cherednichenko, reasserted the modernist outlook in August issues of Red 

Star. According to the report, these two articles "suggested that the modernists were not only holding the line 

in the debate but were pressing an even more radical formulation of their position than in the past. Sokolovskiy 

and Cherednichenko stressed the decisive role of nuclear weapons and strategic forces in a future war, 

emphasized the crucial importance of the initial phase of the war and unequivocally asserted nuclear war could 

not be protracted." The report compares Sokolovskiy and Cherednichenko's basic propositions discussed in 

their authoritative theoretical work, Military Strategy, published in 1962, with the positions they took in the 

issues of Red Star.

Document III-16. "Penkovskiy's Legacy and Strategic Research", CIA/DCI/CSI, Studies in Intelligence, 

Volume 16, spring 1972.

This is a retrospective paper written for the Center for the Study of Intelligence that provides a fairly 

comprehensive review of the type of information contained in the material Penkovskiy turned over and how it 

informed CIA military analysis during the 1960s and into the 1970s.

Document III-17. "New Developments in Operational Art and Tactics", by Lieutenant General V. Baskakov, 

special collection of Military Thought, top secret issue No.1, 1960, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special 

Collection, 31 January 1962, footnote 1.

The article is about potential Soviet offensive operations in the European Theater.

Document III-18. "The Theory of Military Art Needs Review", by Col. Gen. A.I. Gastilovich and Lt. Gen. 

I.A. Tolkonyuk, special collection of Military Thought, top secret issue No. 1, 1960, CIA/DP Clandestine 

Report Special Collection, 18 December 1961, footnotes 1 and 21.

The article is by two military writers who endorsed Khrushchev's strategy of nuclear war against NATO.
Document III-19. "The Nature of Modern Armed Combat and the Role and Place in it of the Various 

Branches of the Armed Forces", by General of the Army P. Kurochkin, special collection Military Thought 

articles, secret issue No. 2, 1960, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 19 September 1961, footnote 

3.

Kurochkin addresses questions raised by three authors in two articles in the special collection of Military 

Thought, issue No. 1, 1960,20 on the question of employing various branches of the armed forces in nuclear 

warfare. He disputes the position of the authors calling for a reappraisal of Soviet military doctrine, strategy, 

operational art, and tactics to bring them in line with the "new" requirements of nuclear warfare. He argues the 

authors' solution to modern warfare, nuclear-missile weapons, is simplistic, eliminating any role for ground 

forces and abolishing the need for strategy, operational art, and tactics by all branches of the armed forces.

Document III-20. "Nuclear/Missile Armament and Some Principles of Military Doctrine", by Maj. Gen. of the 

Engineering-Technical Service M. Goryainov, Special Collection Military Thought, top secret issue No.2, 

1960, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 27 December 1961.

Goryainov provides the technical-mathematical bases of future warfare using nuclear weapons and missiles. 

The author reviews the scientific-technical information about nuclear weapons in a future war and applies his 

understanding of these data to propose a new approach to a future war with nuclear weapons and missiles. The 

author takes the position that a small number of large nuclear [thermonuclear] weapons has such a devastating 

effect over areas as large West Germany and Great Britain that the basic principles of a new military doctrine 

need to be considerably changed. In addition to his thesis about the destructiveness of large nuclear weapons, 

he notes that they are: economical; can with acceptable accuracy reach any point on the globe; and wreak such 

destruction that industrial and other features of a target cannot be reconstituted in a meaningful period of time. 

Hence, in his view, the primary task of the armed forces in war should not be the seizure of territories, but of 

depriving the enemy of the possibility of using nuclear/missile weapons—evidently by destroying the whole of 

the territory where they are based. After painting a picture of utter devastation of the territories of the target 

countries, he seems to caution that the time [and intensity] limits of a war must be determined [limited] by the 

power and number of bursts which will not cause a dangerous saturation of the atmosphere and surface of the 

globe, including that of one's own country with radioactive substances. He does not examine how to get the 

enemy to agree on acceptable levels of devastation. The article also maintains there are substantial gaps in 

Soviet military-theoretical thought and a lack of creativity needed to move forward.

Document III-21. "The Influence of Nuclear Weapons on the Principles of the Offensive Operations of a 

Front", by General of the Army V. Kurasov, special collection Military Thought, top secret issue. No. 3, 

1960, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 9 March 1962, footnote 4.

Kurasov addresses the rapid changes in Soviet views on warfare and military art consonant with the massive 

introduction of nuclear weapons and various delivery vehicles, particularly missiles. These include: [1] 

changes to concepts and goals of front offensive operations, [2] changes in the strength and mission of front

forces and weapons, [3] changes in the immediate tasks of the front for destroying the enemy and seizing the 

entire front, [4] changes in subsequent tasks for destroying the enemy's strategic reserves, [5] changes in the 

methods of conducting the front offensive operations to the simultaneous destruction of the enemy by strategic 

and front missile troops in the entire depth of his operational formation. The article concludes that, under the 

influence of the massive use of nuclear weapons and the increased mobility of the troops, the scope of the 

operations of a front will be carried out in wide zones and on separate disconnected axes. Missile forces will 

deliver a powerful strike at the beginning of the offensive, airborne forces will occupy the most important 

areas of the enemy's territory, motorized forces will overrun tactical and operational forces, and aviation forces 

will destroy and neutralize the enemy's nuclear weapons and troops. Several paragraphs at the end of the article 

rather naively address the problems of radiation and fallout from the use of nuclear weapons on the troops.

Document III-22. "Support of the Strategic Concentration and deployment of the Armed Forces in Respect to 

Transport", by Maj. Gen. Shchepennikov, special collection Military Thought, top secret issue No. 3, 1960, 
published 17 October 1960, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 20 April 1962, footnote 9.

Shchepennikov addresses the consequences of the armed forces' dependence solely on transportation forces for 

deploying troops. The article calls for careful consideration of requirements when developing and preparing 

networks for transporting troops, materiel, equipment, and support functions, particularly during the periods of 

threat, at the beginning of war and during the course of a war.

Document III-23. "The Most Urgent Problems of Training Command Personnel and of Increasing the Combat 

Readiness of Border Military District Staffs", by Maj. Gen. Klyukanov, special collection Military Thought, 

top secret issue No. 1, 1961, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 27 December 1961, footnote 9.

Klyukanov calls for improving the training of officers in border districts and tying it closer to the reality of 

modern warfare. He is particularly concerned about the failure to train in the specific areas where the troops 

will be operating.

Document III-24. "On Regrouping a Combined-Arms Army from the Depth of the Country in the Initial 

Period of a War", by Maj. Gen. P. Stepshin, special collection Military Thought, top secret issue No. 6, 1961, 

CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 13 June 1962, footnote 10.

Stepshin describes exercises examining the problems of deploying large troop formations to the front while 

under nuclear attack at the beginning of a future war. The lessons learned from the exercises include: [1] an 

army's time in the "built-up" area should be limited, [2] all planning must be completed before the enemy's 

first attack, [(3] committing a whole army to a battle must be a rare exception, and [4] mobilization should 

begin on the eve of war, and never later than the seventh day.

Document III-25. "The Fundamentals of Antimissile Defense", by Col. Gen. of Aviation I. Podgornyy and 

Colonels V. Savko and N. Maksimov, special collection Military Thought, top secret issue No. 1, 1962, 

published in the USSR, December 1961, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 24 August 1962, 

footnote 11.

The authors posit the United States will be the enemy whose weapons the Soviets will need to counter in a 

future war. They argue Soviet antimissile defenses will be successful in repulsing the first missile strikes in the 

initial period of war only when the Soviets develop capabilities to defeat US countermeasures able to defeat 

Soviet defensive weapons. He examines US countermeasures and Soviet antimissile defenses in detail, 

concluding the nature of a future nuclear missile war makes antimissile defense the most serious task in 

defeating the enemy.

Document III-26. "Comments on a Previous Article 'Some Pressing Problems of Antiair Defense of the 

Country'", by Lt. Col. Ye. Ryvkin, special collection Military Thought, top secret issue No. 6, 1961, CIA/DP 

Clandestine Report Special Collection, 27 June 1962, footnote 12.

Ryvkin examines the problem of air defense addressed in an article by Lt. Col. N. Melnikov,21 which appeared 

in Military Thought issue No 1, 1961. Ryvkin agrees with Melnikov's main points on the inadequacy of an air 

defense consisting of a single grouping of antiaircraft missile troops vice dispersing them, or of a defensive 

perimeter around important objectives to guarantee security. He does not, however, agree with Melnikov's 

solution for defending the entire national border. He believes it is impractical because the enemy can discover 

the screen and break through. Instead, he agrees with a proposal by Marshal of the Soviet Union S. Biryuzov to 

use long-range missiles to provide zonal defenses in important areas.

Document III-27. "Several Questions on Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Basic Means of Antiair Defense 

of the Country", by Col. Gen. of Aviation S. Mironov, special collection Military Thought, top secret issue 

No. 6, 1961, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 3 August 1962, footnote 13.

Mironov criticizes press reporting that values the role played by one weapon—for example, antiaircraft guided 

missiles—while depreciating the value of another—in this example, fighter aircraft. The remainder of the 

article is devoted to examining the combat capabilities of antiaircraft guided missiles and interceptors.
Document III-28. "New Developments in Combat with Carrier Strike Large Units in the Initial Period of a 

War", by Captain First Rank Ye. Mamayev, Military Thought, secret issue No. 3, 1962, CIA/DP Clandestine 

Report Special Collection, 5 October 1962, footnote 15.

Mamayev seeks to present naval operations during the initial period of a nuclear war as primarily offensive, 

especially characterized by air and submarine attacks against NATO aircraft carrier strike groups. Two major 

components of his proposed strategy involve Soviet submarines in constant trail of the carriers from port in 

peacetime and long-range aviation reconnaissance and aerial strikes. He advocates committing the maximum 

number of aircraft and submarines in a single strike using almost all the nuclear warheads allocated for the 

destruction of the carrier task group. According to the author, the more generally held view was to attack in a 

series of strikes. The author does not address the possibility of war without the use of nuclear weapons. The 

covering memo transmitting the report from the DDI to the DCI includes the preliminary comments of the DDI 

on the article.

Document III-29. "The Tasks of the Navy and the Methods of Performing Them", by Admiral Kharlamov, 

special collection Military Thought, top secret issue No. 1, 1962, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special 

Collection, 11 September 1962, footnote 16. The covering memo transmitting the report from the DDI to the 

DCI includes the DDI's preliminary comments on the article.

Kharlamov joined other military writers in highlighting the top priority of combating enemy carrier and missile 

submarine forces at the expense of other naval missions in the initial period of a war. He disputed the 

contention of some naval writers that only submarines were needed or capable in most cases of accomplishing 

the mission. He especially took Admiral Platonov22 to task for his earlier article about the low utility of 

combined forces and the level of sophistication of combined exercises. He directed his most biting criticism at 

Platonov's proposal to separate the fleet commands between an on-scene commander and one ashore. 

Kharlamov advocated a single commander of operations positioned ashore and aided by undefined future 

advances in automation. Like Platonov and others, he only addressed the possibility of war with nuclear 

weapons.

Document III-30. "Combat against Enemy Missile Submarines", by R. Adm. O. Zhukovskiy, special 

collection Military Thought, top secret issue No.4, 1961, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 29 

May 1962, footnote 17.

Zhukovskiy describes, in some detail, the Soviet perception of US Navy shipbuilding and deployment 

practices for nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). He attempts to portray a methodical 

antisubmarine warfare [ASW] strategy for defense against the US SSBN threat in which the role of each 

component of the ASW forces is addressed. The problem of actually locating enemy submarines to destroy 

them is largely assumed away in the article by focusing on search methods while avoiding mention of the 

probability of detection of enemy SSBNs. DI comments from 1962 on the article are attached to the rear of the 

document.

Document III-31. "The Missions of the Navy and Methods of Carrying Them Out", by Adm. V. Platonov, 

special collection Military Thought, top secret issue No. 2, 1961, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special 

Collection, 5 September 1961, footnote 18.

Platonov disputes the arguments of Col. Gen. Gastilovich, a leading proponent of the modernist group, that 

war in the future would be a blitzkreig of short duration leaving no major role for the Navy other than the 

immediate destruction of enemy vessels carrying nuclear missiles. Platonov argues for a major role for the 

Navy in the longer duration war he asserts as most likely to occur. He especially argues for a dramatic increase 

in emphasis on the production of nuclear-powered submarines and a broader role for them in naval strategy. 

Platonov devotes relatively little discussion to the new Soviet nuclear-missile-carrying submarines.

Document III-32. "The Submarine Operation of the Navy—The Naval Operation of the Future", by Adm. Yu. 

Panteleyev, special collection Military Thought, top secret issue No. 3, 1961, CIA/DP Clandestine Report 
Special Collection, 21 Feb 1962, footnote 19.

Panteleyev advocates formations [squadrons] of submarines operating independent of other forces and using 

nuclear weapons for strikes against aircraft-carrier forces, missile-carrying submarines, and reinforcement 

convoys. He also advocates assignment of land targets to strategic missiles fired from land-based launchers 

and specifically argues against using submarines for the purpose. He evidently believes it is necessary to predeploy squadrons of submarines to distant defensive locations before war and assumes such large-scale 

deployments would go unnoticed by the enemy. To support his proposed operational capabilities he notes 

problems of organization, control, and materiel support need to be solved. He also advocates tailoring 

navigational charts to the needs of submarine operations.

Document III-33. "The Use of Surface Vessels in Modern Naval Warfare", by R. Adm. N. Zvyagin, special 

collection Military Thought, top secret issue No. 2, 1961, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 11 

December 1961, footnote 20.

Zvyagin notes the preeminence of submarines in current and future navies, but, at the same time, he strives to 

show important roles for future surface forces in the missions of the Soviet Navy. His view of naval operations 

is less expansive than many of his contemporaries and focuses on combat in areas relatively close to the 

USSR. Like his contemporaries he evidently assumes that combat at sea will be with nuclear weapons, not a 

conflict using only conventional weapons. He also addresses some support tasks for the Navy such as coastal 

defense, convoy protection, and mine clearing, and the kind of ships needed to accomplish those tasks.

The eight clandestine reports below are articles that appeared in the top secret Military Thought special 

collection provided by Col. Penkovskiy. They assess the place of armor in a future military doctrine, claiming 

arguments for an important role for tank troops was also, perhaps primarily, meant to bolster the 

"traditionalists'" position in the doctrine debate.

Document III-34. "The Nature of Modern Warfare", by Col. Gen. A. Kh. Babadzhanyan, special collection 

Military Thought, top secret issue No. 1, 1961, CIA/DP, Clandestine Report Special Collection, 18 January 

1962, footnote 21. 

Babadzhanyan reviews the positions on the nature of modern war taken by five Soviet general officers (Maj. 

Gen. Goryainov, Col. Gen. Gastilovich, Generals Tolkonyuk and Baskakov, and General of the Army 

Kurochkin)23 in articles published in the special collection of top secret Military Thought issues during the 

period 1960-1961. Babadzhanyan contests the views of Gastilovich et al on the singularly decisive nature of 

nuclear weapons in modern warfare but sees merit in the arguments of General Kurochkin which seek a more 

balanced mix of missile and ground forces.

Document III-35. "Some Thoughts on the Development of the Soviet Army Tank Troops", by Marshal of the 

Soviet Union R. Malinovskiy, special collection Military Thought, top secret issue No. 1 1962, CIA/DP 

Clandestine Report Special Collection, 18 October 1962, footnote 21.

The article is probably the most important of the articles of the special collection of Military Thought articles 

and seemingly settled many of the contentious issues—at least temporarily. Minister of Defense Malinovskiy 

spoke with considerable authority, giving, in effect, the answer without foreclosing further discussion. Large 

ground force formations would continue to be essential to the defeat of an enemy in the Western Theater of 

Operations.

Document III-36. "Some Questions in the Further Development and Improvement of the Ground Troops", by 

Col. Gen. of the Tank Troops P. Poluboyarov, special collection Military Thought, top secret issue No. 3, 

1961, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 12 March 1962, (footnote 21).

Poluboyarov describes the debate on the role of ground forces and tank armies in a nuclear-missile war. The 

article cedes to nuclear missiles and troops the decisive role in attaining the aims of such a war or of individual 

operations but argues the goal of completing the final defeat of the enemy and seizing and holding territory and 
installations belongs to the ground forces, and argues that tank troops are the best equipped of the ground 

forces to carry out these tasks.

Document III-37. "The Paths of Further Development of the Tank Troops of the Soviet Army", Marshal of 

Armored Troops P. Rotmistrov, special collection Military Thought, top secret issue No. 1, 1961, CIA/DP 

Clandestine Report Special Collection, 2 October 1961, footnote #21.

The article contains the following quote summing up this famous military leader's views in the doctrinal debate 

and in the debate among the ground forces advocates: "We need powerful and well-organized tank troops—all 

the experience of the last war speaks eloquently of this, and it is demanded by modern conditions of carrying 

out combat operations arising as a result of the appearance and development of missile troops and nuclear 

weapons." Rotmistrov also provided good direct evidence of the issues surrounding ground force organizations 

and equipment during the time of their reorganization and reduction in size. Considered with the Malinovskiy 

article, [Document III-35] 24 this article provided substantial evidence for the joint CIA/DIA reassessment of 

Soviet ground forces discussed in Chapter V.

Document III-38. "A New Combat Vehicle", by Lt. Gen. A. Shevchenko, special collection Military 

Thought, top secret issue No.4, 20 October 1961, CIA/DP, Clandestine Report Special Collection, 11 June 

1962.

Shevchenko ostensibly agrees with articles written by Marshal Rotmistrov, advocating increasing the 

proportion of tanks among the ground forces. Shevchenko nonetheless used the article to propose replacing the 

tank with a whole new combat vehicle to mount a variety of weapon systems and incorporate troop carrying 

capabilities. He asserts that anti-tank guided missiles armed with shape charge warheads will comprise the 

greatest danger to tanks no matter the level of armor protection. The author supports the position taken by 

General of the Army A.S. Zhadov. For the three articles in order see Document III-34, "The Nature of Modern 

Warfare", by Col. Gen. A. Kh. Babadzhanyan; Document III-37, "The Paths of Further Development of the 

Tank Troops of the Soviet Army", by Marshal of Armored Troops P. Rotmistsrov; and Document III-42, 

"Trends in the Development of the Tank Troops of the Soviet Army", by General of the Army A. Zhadov, who 

proposed arming modern tanks with the most advanced missile weapons to destroy any enemy tank or other 

targets at great distances.

Document III-39. "The Prospects of Development of Armored Combat Vehicles", by Maj. Gen. of EngineerTechnical Services L. Sergeyev, special collection Military Thought, top secret issue No. 4, 1961, CIA/DP, 

Clandestine Report Special Collection, 26 June 1962, footnote 21.

Sergeyev argues the tank troops are the forces best suited to conduct combat operations in a nuclear-missile 

war, particularly to exploit the results of Soviet nuclear attacks against an enemy, because they have the best 

protection from enemy nuclear counterstrikes and have great striking power and mobility. Drawing from the 

results of a conference held at the Military Academy of Armored Troops in May 1961, he examines the 

prospects for developing armored combat vehicles to fight a nuclear-missile war.

Document III-40. "Questions of the Development of the Organizational Structure of the Tank Troops", by 

Maj. Gen. of Tank Troops G. Zavizion, special collection Military Thought, top secret issue No. 4, 1961, 

CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 7 June 1962, footnote 21.

Zavizion examines the need for organizational reform of tank armies to address the new doctrine for future 

wars with nuclear weapons and missiles. He derives much of the information for his article from a lecture by 

Marshal of Armored Troops Rotmistrov at a conference held at the Military Academy of Armored Troops. 

Rotmistrov addressed the basic direction the reforms should take to improve the organizational structure of 

tank armies. Other issues addressed include: raising the firepower of tanks; improving the ability of tanks to 

penetrate enemy lines; increasing protection from the effects of nuclear weapons; improving the capability to 

make swift strikes with large tank units; providing a constant supply of reserve units and subunits to maintain 
the combat effectiveness of tank troops; increasing capabilities to constantly repair equipment; realigning 

command and control and staffs; and reorganizing the rear services.

Document III-41. "On Military-Scientific Work in the Ground Forces", by Col. V. Zemskov, special 

collection Military Thought, top secret issue No. 3, 1962, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 9 

January 1963, footnote 21.

Zemskov examines research carried out in 1961 at higher military-education institutes, specialized scientificresearch institutes, and directly with the combat forces. The research focused on preparations for offensive 

operations during the initial period of war, the employment of missile troops, and automated command and 

control of the armed forces. He discusses the two reports on the results of the research produced during the 

year by the main staff and the directorates of the commander in chief of the Ground Forces: "The Employment 

of Missile Troops in front Operations", and "The Organization of Troop Control in front and Army 

Operations." Zemskov reviews the conclusions and recommendations.

Document III-42. "Trends in the Development of the Tank Troops of the Soviet Army", by General of the 

Army A. Zhadov, special collection Military Thought, top secret issue No. 2, 1961, CIA/DP Clandestine 

Report Special Collection, 12 September 1961, footnote 21.

In the context of a nuclear missile war, Zhadov focuses on the continued role of ground forces, sharply 

differing with the Marshal Rotmistrov, [Document III-37]25 principally on specific ground force organizations 

and tank formations. While professing the principal role of nuclear missiles, Zhadov clearly focuses on the 

continued central role of major ground force formations in a future war.

Document III-43. "Some Problems of Improving Wheeled Combat Vehicles for the Ground Forces", by Maj, 

Gen. of Engineer Technical Services C. Zimelev, Engineer Colonel A. Frumkin, and Engineer Colonel V. 

Medvedkov, special collection Military Thought, top secret issue No. 3, 1962, CIA/DP Information Report, 

23 January 1963, footnote 21.

The authors clearly did not believe the utility of ground forces had ended. Their discussion focuses on the 

merits of wheeled versus tracked armored-personnel-carriers, a debate still raging today among Western 

military specialists. The article significantly foretold the development of variants of the BTR-60-class of eightwheeled armored vehicles produced in the USSR and Eastern Europe in some form beginning in the 1960s and 

continuing until the demise of the Warsaw Pact.

Document III-16, "Penkovskiy's Legacy and Strategic Research," has references to the following two 

clandestine reports from the collection of secret articles of the journal Military News. The footnote number 

indicated for the articles is the reference in that document.

Document III-44. "Combat with Tactical Nuclear Weapons", by Lt. Gen. of Tank Troops M. Shaposhnikov, 

special collection of the journal Military News, top secret issue No. 34, 1961, CIA/DP Information Report, 24 

July 1962, footnote 21.

Shaposhnikov examines problems with combat against enemy tactical nuclear weapons. The missile troops 

with operational-tactical designation are also responsible for destroying nuclear weapons deep in enemy 

territory.

Document III-45. "The Study of Military Science in Large Units and Units", by Colonel V. Zemakov and 

Lieutenant- Colonel P. Zaytsev, special collection of the journal Military News, Issue No.34, 1961, 25 

January 1961, Footnote 21.

The authors present their evidence that large units and units are not meeting requirements for the study of 

military science. They claim the reasons for this is that planning for study by the units lacks aim and 

specificity, and is conducted without regard to the practical tasks of the units. Hence, they maintain solutions 

to tactical problems continue to lag behind the level of operational art. According to the authors this is 
particularly true in the studies on the use of nuclear and missile weapons in a nuclear attack. The article 

reviews several examples of planning or lack of planning for specific units in specific scenarios and addresses 

solutions to improve the study by large units.

Document III-46. "Considerations re Declassifying Military Thought Articles", CIA/DP Memorandum for 

Chief, SR Division, 29 November 1965.

The memorandum describes the scope of Penkovskiy's effort.

17 See Document VII-74, "The Tasks of Military Science at Its Present Stage and the Main Directions of Work of the Journal, 

Military Thought," for Marshal Zhakarov's statement on the mission of the classified editions of Military Thought.

18 GRU is the transliteration of an abbreviation of the Cyrillic for the Soviet Military Intelligence Directorate: Glavnoye 

Razvedyvatelnoye Upravlenie.

19 The editors have been unable to locate Marshal Chuykov's 13 December 1963 Izvestiya article.

20 For the two articles, see Document III-17, "New Developments in Operational Art and Tactics," by Lt. Gen. V. Baskakov; and 

Document III-18, "The Theory of Military Art Needs Review," by Col. Gen. A.I. Gastilovich and Lt. Gen. I.A. Tolkonyuk.

21 Colonel Melnikov's article is not available.

22 Admiral Kharlamov is referring to the article by Admiral Platanov in Document III-31.

23 For the four documents in order, see Document III-17, "New developments in Operation art and Tactics, by Lt. Gen. V. 

Baskakov; Document III-18, The Theory of Military art Needs Review, by Col. Gen. A.I. Gastilovich and Lt. Gen. I.A. 

Tolkonyuk; Document III-19, "The Nature of Modern Armed Combat and the Role and Place in it of the Various Branches of the 

Armed Forces," by General of the Army P. Kurochkin; and Document III-20, "Nuclear/Missile Armament and Some Principles 

of Military Doctrine," by Maj. Gen. of the Engineering-Technical Service M. Goryainov.

24 For this article, see Document III-35, "Some Thoughts on the Development of the Soviet Army Tank Troops," by Marshal of 

the Soviet Union R. Malinovskiy.

25 For this article, see Document III-37, "The Paths of Further development of the Tank Troops of the Soviet Army," Marshal of 

Armored Troops P. Rotmistrov.

↑ BACK TO CHAPTER 3

NEW INSIGHTS INTO THE WARSAW PACT FORCES AND

DOCTRINE: THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS (1962)

The collection of documents for this chapter contains information and documents Penkovskiy provided to the 

United States that aided in understanding the forces and materiel the Soviets later delivered to Cuba. The 

collection also includes specific topical on-site clandestine reporting valuable to the US effort to thwart Soviet 

intentions to deploy missiles in Cuba. There are two definitive reports of the crisis written immediately 
following the resolution of the crisis: one covers military aspects and implications of the crisis for Soviet 

military prestige and capabilities, and the other addresses the political aspects and implications of the crisis for 

Khrushchev and the Soviet Union.

Document IV-1. "The Organization of Combat Support of a Regiment Equipped with Strategic Missiles", 

Strategic Missile Bulletin, issue No. 2, 1961, CIA/DP, Clandestine Report Special Collection, 5 March 1962.

The article demonstrates the military need for local physical security from attacks by enemy airborne or 

saboteur groups. This article helped military analysts anticipate the Soviet need for greater security for the 

Cuban excursion, where the Soviets placed a much greater emphasis on protection, and the selected 

deployment of Soviet regimental armored groups.

Document IV-2. "The Fundamental Scheme of a Front Offensive Operation", by Lt. Gen. Baskakov, special 

collection Military Thought, top secret issue No. 3, July1961, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 

13 April 1962.

Baskakov deals with the problems of integrating long-range nuclear-armed MRBMs and IRBMs, into the 

battle plan for the theater forces. A graphic example of a combined force is on pages 18–19.

The following two articles describe the technical specifications of the surface-to-air-missiles [SAMs] and the 

vulnerabilities of the Soviet air defense systems and organizations.

Document IV-3. "Technical Data on a Soviet Surface-to-Air Missile Designated V-75", CIA/ DP, Clandestine 

Report Special Collection, 24 May 1961 [DOI, early 1959].

The article is a translation of notes taken from a Soviet top secret technical manual. It supplied invaluable 

information about the V-75 SAM and its capabilities. The information allowed the military during the Cuban 

crisis to plan lower risk attacks.

Document IV-4. "Several Questions on Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Basic Means of Antiair Defense of 

a Front, and Its Organizational Structure", by Col. Gen. of Aviation S. Mironov, special collection Military 

Thought, top secret issue No. 1, 1962, CIA/DP, Clandestine Report Special Collection, 7 August 1962.

Mironov illustrates the poor state of organization and control of the anti-air defenses of Soviet theater forces at 

the time of the Cuban crisis and for some time to come.

The following three documents address the issues of Soviet MRBM employment that were relevant during the 

1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. They supplied key information for understanding the photographs taken by the U-2 

of missile and air defense sites and troop encampments during the period June through November 1962.

Document IV-5. "Regarding two articles from the Strategic Missile Bulletin", CIA/DI, Memorandum for the 

DDI from Chief, Guided Missile Task Force, 5 March 1962.

The memorandum evaluates two Strategic Missile Bulletin articles provided by Penkovskiy in Documents 

IV-6 and IV-7.

Document IV-6. "The Preparation for Combat Operations of a Regiment Armed with R-12 Missiles", 

Strategic Missile Bulletin, top secret issue No. 1, 16 July 1961, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special 

Collection, 5 March 1962.

The article explains the set-up procedures for a Soviet R-12—1,100 nautical-mile (nm) range—missile unit 

and the time required for different levels of readiness for the missile, which was sent to Cuba in 1962.
Document IV-7. "Some problems of Camouflaging Primary Siting Areas of Missile Troops", Strategic 

Missile Bulletin, top secret issue, No. 2, September 1961, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 9 

April 1962.

The article describes protective measures taken by strategic missile units like those that were sent to Cuba in 

1962.

The following two clandestine reports describe Soviet military movements and specific missile installations in 

Cuba. The sources of the information were not trained military observers, but their information was important 

when combined with other information about Soviet forces provided by Penkovskiy and technical sources.

Document IV-8. "Restricted Military area in Pinar Del Rio Province and Possible Missile Installation at La 

Guira", CIA/DP Information Report, 18 September 1962 [DOI, 7 September 1962].

This reporting describes two sites the Soviet forces occupied in Cuba. It is reproduced in CIA Documents on 

the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962, page 103-4, edited by Mary S. McAuliffe, CIA History Staff, Washington, 

DC, October 1992, available on the CIA website, www.cia.gov.

Document IV-9. "Possible Missile Site in Havana", CIA/DP Information Report, 27 September 1962 [DOI, 12 

September 1962].

This reporting describes a convoy of Soviet trucks containing black boxes and long transport trailers carrying 

large missiles, all heading for "Campo Libertad." This report appeared in CIA Documents on the Cuban 

Missile Crisis, 1962 page 107-8 edited by Mary S. McAuliffe, CIA History Staff, Washington, DC, October 

1992, available on the CIA website, www.cia.gov.

The following include two documents that are the definitive CIA analyses of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis 

conducted immediately following the agreement by Khrushchev to remove the missiles. The last two 

documents were not available until after the collapse of the Soviet Union. They are included here because they 

are the actual proposed Soviet General Staff's plan for the deployment of forces for the Cuban venture and the 

list of forces that were to take part in the operation.

Document IV-10. "Complementary Studies of the Soviet Venture in Cuba, 1962", CIA/DI/ORR Memorandum 

to the Deputy Director for Intelligence, 18 February 1964.

The memorandum explains the purpose and status of the two documents that follow.

Document IV-11. Cuba 1962: Khrushchev's Miscalculated Risk, CIA/DI/ORR Staff Study, 13 February 

1964.

This is one of the definitive CIA analyses of the 1962 Missile Crisis, conducted immediately following the 

agreement by Khrushchev to remove the missiles. For information on Soviet ground forces units, see pages 47-

49.

Document IV-12. The Soviet Missile Base Venture in Cuba, CIA/DI Research Staff Working Paper, 27 

February 1964.

This is the study of the political aspects of the Cuban venture and is a companion document to Cuba 1962: 

Khrushchev's Miscalculated Risk.

Document IV-13. Memorandum to Chairman of the Defense Council, N.S. Khrushchev, on deployment of 

Soviet Forces to Cuba, Marshal R. Malinovskiy and Marshal M. Zakharov, disseminated in Moscow, 24 May 

1962.26

This is the proposal to send troops and supplies to Cuba. It includes a timetable for building launch pads and 
assembling missiles. The document describes the Soviet plans in terms close to the descriptions in the two DI 

papers, Documents IV-11 and IV-12 above.

Document IV-13a. List of Troops and Commanders to take part in Operation "Anadry", prepared for 

General of the Army I.A. Pilyev, commander of the Group of Soviet Forces, by Col. Gen. S.P. Ivanov, chief of 

the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff [DOI, 20 June 1962].

The term "Anadyr" is evidently a Soviet military codename for the Cuban venture. The document contains a 

complete list of the Soviet forces—Missile, Air Defense, Air, Ground and Naval forces, and the Rear 

Services—deployed to Cuban in 1962.27

Document IV-14. Papers of John F. Kennedy, Presidential Paper28, President's Office Files, Presidential 

Recordings Transcripts, "Cuban Missile Crisis Meetings", 16 October 1962.

26 See Volkogonov Papers, Library of Congress. The papers were translated by Raymond Garthoff, and published in the Cold 

War International History Bulletin ll. The documents are available through the Cold War International History Project, Woodrow 

Wilson Center, 1 Woodrow Wilson Plaza 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 20004-3027, or on its website at 

www.CWIHP.org.

27 Ibid Volkogonov papers.

28 John F. Kennedy Library, Columbia Point, Boston, MA 02125, (617) 929-4500, www.JFKLibrary.org.

↑ BACK TO CHAPTER 4

NEW ESTIMATES OF THE SOVIET GROUND FORCES

(1963-68)

The documents in this chapter include two letters from the Secretary of Defense requesting two separate joint 

CIA/DIA studies of Soviet ground forces. The first study sought to define the size of the Soviet ground forces 

in terms of the number of divisions. The examination of all the Soviet ground forces installations in response 

to Secretary McNamara's request was made possible by the availability of new clandestine reporting and the 

accumulation of photography of the USSR and its analysis from the U-2 and the new CORONA satellite 

reconnaissance programs. The clandestine reporting includes several Military Thought documents pertaining 

to the capabilities and support of Soviet forces provided by Col Penkovskiy in 1961, some of which were not 

translated until 1962 or even 1963. All of the documents he had provided on Soviet forces that appear in the 

previous chapters were available to the members of the panel of analysts from DIA and CIA who participated 

in the study.

The second study, requested in 1967, addressed the Soviet ground forces in more detail than the first study and 

sought to provide a more definitive picture of the capabilities of the forces to confront NATO in Europe. This 

second joint study was possible because high resolution satellite photography was available in the second half 
of the 1960s. There are copies of the interim editions of the two studies, of the estimates produced during the 

period the two studies were underway, and the estimates that were influenced by the joint studies.

o Documents Available before the First Joint Study

o Documents for the First Joint Study

o Documents for the Second Joint Study

o Photographic Interpretation Reports for the First Study

o Carpathian Military District

o Baltic Military District

o Kiev Military District

o Belorussia Military District

o Moscow Military District

DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE BEFORE THE FIRST JOINT STUDY

Document V-1. "The Deployment and Forward Movement of a Combined-Arms Army of a Border Military 

District in the Initial Period of a War", by Lieutenant-General S. Andryushchenko, special collection of 

Military Thought, top secret issue No. 2, 1961, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 29 December 

1961.

The article describes the required evaluations, and the measures to be taken in the first hour by a combinedarms army located in a border region immediately following an initial surprise attack involving the use of 

weapons of mass destruction. The author discusses additional information that will be required, including 

chemical and nuclear decontamination at the front, across the country, and in enemy territory, as the combinedarms army regroups and commences operations. He examines in detail possible problems in transporting 

troops, providing support, and establishing forward command posts in the initial operations.

Document V-2. "The Initial Period of a Future War and the Special Features of the Conduct of Military 

Operations during this Period", by Colonel-General N Pavlovskiy, top secret special collection of Military 

Thought, issue No. 1, 1961, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 10 January 1962.

The author discusses the importance of improving combat readiness for the initial period of a nuclear war. He 

describes the importance of this period historically and in a future war, relates what combat readiness entails, 

and characterizes the nature and means of conducting military operations. The author posits the necessity of 

developing and perfecting weapons and doctrine to achieve victory over an enemy in the shortest possible 

time, and at the same time, to make preparations for a lengthy war. He assigns achievement of these goals, and 

objectives in the rear area, first to the missile troops, and second to the air defense forces. He also describes the 

important roles the ground and naval forces will play in achieving victory.

Document V-3. "Some Problems in the Preparation of the Rear Area for Support of the Armed Forces in the 

Initial Period of a War", by Colonel-Gen F. Malykhin, special collection of Military Thought, top secret issue 

No. 2, 1960, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 13 February 1962 

The article describes the new and different conditions for rear area support in modern warfare for both the 

Armed Forces and their equipment, and for potential national facilities attached to military commands. The 

author discusses in detail the implications of the changes in the size of the armies, the introduction of new and 

sophisticated weapons, the increases in tempo of offensive operations and the intensity of engagements, the 

increased materiel requirements, and the new requirements for communications and transport for the rear area 

support service.

Document V-4. "The Nature of Modern Armed Combat", by General of the Army A. Gorbatov, top secret 

special collection of Military Thought, issue No.3, 1960, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 2 
March 1962.

The author seeks to stake out a role for theater forces in Soviet military doctrine and strategy. He challenged 

the views of those who, like Khrushchev, visualized warfare almost entirely in terms of strategic and other 

nuclear armed missile strikes with little need for ground forces and tactical aviation. General Gorbatov argues 

it is necessary to physically occupy the enemy's territory no matter how a war begins. He contends when the 

enemy strikes first the Soviets would be in a defensive situation, probably having suffered significant 

disruptions and losses, with the enemy advancing into Soviet territory. He concludes surprise can happen and 

when it does the capability to strike with strategic missiles would be no protection.29 His article and the 

following article were significant contributions to the CIA/DIA joint ground forces study.

Document V-5. Critique of the Front Two-Stage Operational-Rear Exercise Conducted in July 1961, 

by Commander-in-Chief of Ground Troops, Marshal of the Soviet Union Chuykov and the Chief of the Main 

Staff of the Ground Troops, General of the Army Popov, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 14 

March 1962 (a Russian top secret document published by the Soviet Ministry of Defense in July 1961).30

The article is one of the most important Soviet critiques of a major exercise. It contains information on 

readiness, army group [front] organization and war planning as of summer 1961. Warsaw Pact documents 

published later show some of the changes in the war planning following the 1961 Berlin Crisis including the 

fronts of other Warsaw Pact allies in the overall scheme of operations.

Document V-6. "The Forms and Methods of Operational Training According to the Experience of Exercises", 

by Lieutenant General V. Mernov, top secret special collection of Military Thought, Issue No. 3 1962, 

CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 7 December 1962.

Mernov subscribes to the position that large ground forces will be necessary in a future war. In concentrating 

on the mechanics of operational-level command-staff exercises, he glosses over the changes in doctrine and 

modern weaponry until late in his article. Then he notes the conceptual and practical problems posed by the 

changes of the late 1950s. He states that, when directing the exercises in the context of nuclear missile 

weapons, "the difficulty lies in the fact it is impossible to calculate the results of each nuclear strike with the 

authenticity and accuracy required in war. Without these calculations the course of combat operations and 

actions becomes distorted." Mernov's concept of the impossibility of calculating results when using nuclear 

weapons set this article apart from the bulk of the available classified writings of his contemporaries.

Document V-7. Soviet Military Thought on Large-Scale Nonnuclear War in Europe, CIA/DI/Senior 

Research Staff Typescript Intelligence Memorandum, 18 January 1963.

The memorandum compares some of the Special Collection of Military Thought articles published during the 

period 1961-1962 with Khrushchev's position on the possibility of nuclear war presented in his 24 August 

1961 interview with Drew Pearson and with the position of Marshal V.D. Sokolovskiy on position on nuclear 

war in his book, Military Strategy, published in May 1962.

↑ BACK TO CHAPTER 5

DOCUMENTS FOR THE FIRST JOINT STUDY

Document V-8. Secretary of Defense McNamara's letter to DCI McCone requesting a joint CIA-DIA study of 

the strength of Soviet Ground Forces, disseminated 13 February 1963.

Document V-8a. Capabilities of the Soviet Theater Forces, NIE 11-14-62, disseminated December 1962.

This is the estimate Secretary of Defense MacNamara discussed in his 13 February 1963 letter.
Document V-9. Some Observations on the Size and Combat Readiness of Soviet Ground Forces, 

CIA/DI/Senior Research Staff Intelligence Memorandum, 20 March 1963.

This SRS memorandum was prepared as a research aid for the analysts involved in the CIA/DIA reevaluation 

of the estimates of the size and strength of Soviet ground forces. It is a study of information taken from the 

classified series of Military Thought articles provided by Penkovskiy.

Document V-10. Field Service Regulations of the Armed Forces of the USSR (Division-Regiment), 

CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 30 April 1963 (DOI 30 March 1962).

The regulations cover the following topics: the principles of combined-arms combat, troop control, political 

work, intelligence, protection of troops against weapons of mass destruction [WMD], anti-air defense, 

movement of troops, the meeting engagement, the offensive against a defending enemy, the airborne operation 

and combat operations of an airborne division, pursuit, defense, combat in encirclement and breaking out of 

encirclement, withdrawal, disposition of troops in place and their security, materiel, and technical and medical 

support of troops in combat.31

Document V-11. Reappraisal of Soviet Ground Forces, Memorandum for the Director of Central 

Intelligence from Rear Admiral S.B. Frankel, USN, Chief of Staff Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), 21 May 

1963.

The memorandum conveys for approval the terms of reference for a joint Soviet ground forces study to be 

discussed at a 27 May 1963 meeting of CIA and DIA representatives.

Document V-11a. Attachment to the Memorandum for the DCI, 21, May 1963.

The attachment contains the terms of reference for the joint study on Soviet ground forces.

Document V-11b. Meeting with General Carroll on Soviet Ground Force Project, Memorandum for the 

Record, 28 May 1963.

The memorandum reports CIA and DIA representatives agreed the effort should be viewed as a study of the 

evidence rather than the preparation of another estimate on Soviet ground forces; it should be entered into in 

the frankest way, uninhibited by past positions or estimates; and it should include a study of the costs of Soviet 

ground forces.

Document V-12. Status of CIA/DIA Study on Soviet Forces, Memorandum for DDI from Chief, MilitaryEconomic Division, DI/ORR, 21 June 1963.

The memorandum reports the panel decided to structure the study to begin with a description of the structure 

and mission of the Soviet ground forces, followed by a discussion of Soviet mobilization philosophy. A 

general discussion of the nature, adequacy, and scope of the information about line units, including 

organization, manning and equipment would follow. There will be some comparisons with US units 

particularly on costs. Finally DIA will construct an assessment of the number of such divisions, according to 

the confidence the task force has in their existence on the basis of available evidence.

A series of reports prepared by NPIC Photographic Analysis Group, the CIA Photographic Intelligence 

Division and the DIA Production Center 1P1c on Soviet ground forces and logistic installations for the Joint 

CIA/DIA Study of Soviet Ground Forces requested by Secretary McNamara is at the end of the catalogue for 

this chapter, beginning with Document V-63. The 447 reports in the series represent the printed version of the 

PI support provided to the Joint CIA/DIA Panel. Although the availability of satellite photography provided 

for the first time the identification of military installations throughout the USSR, the low-resolution of the 

photography did not yield many of the details of the units identified that were necessary to complete the 

analysis of the Soviet military forces and equipment.
Document V-13. A Study of the Soviet Ground Forces–An Interim Report, CIA/DIA Joint Study, 21 

August 1963.

The report relates the progress and interim conclusions of the Joint Study Panel. It noted "the panel has 

examined the evidence from all sources on the Soviet ground force in terms of its organization, number of 

major line elements and manpower." The panel found the quality of the evidence varied widely and did not 

permit high-confidence in single-value assessments of most of the quantitative aspects of the force that were 

examined. The panel, however, noted there was abundant evidence on the general nature of the force regarding 

its organization, mission, magnitude, and system for acquiring manpower. The report includes a discussion of 

how the study defined Soviet ground forces in a footnote to paragraph 1 of the summary and conclusions, 

page 3.

Document V-14. Capabilities of the Soviet General Purpose Forces 1963-1969, NIE 11-14-63, 8 

January 1964.

This is the final version of this estimate. It includes the revised numbers for Soviet forces from the joint 

CIA/DIA study. This report re-examines the evidence on the inventory of Soviet land-combat equipment and 

conventional ammunition available to the Soviet ground forces and assesses the level of confidence or range of 

uncertainty the panel had in its conclusions based on the evidence.

Document V-15. Secretary of Defense McNamara's Letter of Appreciation to DCI McCone, 30 January 

1964.

The letter thanks the DCI and the analysts involved in the joint CIA/DIA study for their efforts reflected in the 

refined information about Soviet general purpose forces contained in NIE 11-14-63. (For text of this NIE, see 

Document V-14)

Document V-16. Contribution to NIE 11-14-64 Capabilities of Soviet General-Purpose Forces 1964-70, 

CIA/DI/ORR, 6 October 1964.

The ORR contribution contains new information developed after the publication of NIE 11-14-63 about Soviet 

policy and doctrine for ground, naval, and air forces; Soviet tactical and defensive missile systems; the Soviet 

Naval surface, submarine and Air Forces; and the Soviet tactical missile system. It also reviews evidence about 

Soviet development of an anti-tactical ballistic missile system and the effects of the low wartime birth rate on 

the manpower available for military conscription.

Document V-17. Capabilities of Soviet General Purpose Forces 1964-1970, NIE 11-14-64, 10 

December 1964.

In the NIE, the IC judges the general purpose forces remain the largest and most expensive element of the 

Soviet military establishment despite the rapid and costly development of Soviet strategic attack forces. The 

information gained during the previous year showed that the manpower levels had declined after 1961 and the 

IC concludes the numbers are less than the previous estimate and, with the removal of Khruschev, there no 

longer is an advocate for reductions among the top political leadership.

Document V-17a. Special Annex to Capabilities of Soviet General Purpose Forces, 1964-1970, NIE 11-

14-64, 10 December 1964.

The annex contains photography of Soviet ground force installations. It explains the IC had devised techniques 

for analyzing and collating the photography with other forms of evidence about ground forces, the result being 

a major step forward in the ability of the IC to make judgments on a reasonably current basis about Soviet 

ground divisions.

Document V-18. A Study of the Soviet Ground Forces, a second report of the CIA/DIA Panel for a special 

study of Soviet Ground Forces for Secretary of Defense McNamara, CIA/DIA Joint Study, 6 May 1965.
The report re-examines the evidence on the inventory of Soviet land-combat equipment and conventional 

ammunition available to the Soviet Ground Forces and assesses the level of confidence or range of uncertainty 

the panel had in its conclusions based on the evidence.

Document V-19. Regarding CIA/DIA Panel on Soviet Ground Forces, CIA/DI Memorandum from Acting 

DDI to DCI, 18 August 1965.

This memorandum discusses the history of the CIA/DIA Panel, including the second report, [see Document V18]32 for which it seeks approval from the DCI for transmittal to the Secretary of Defense and proposes 

disbanding the panel.

Document V-20. Capabilities of Soviet General Purpose Forces, NIE 11-14-65, CIA/DI/ONE, 21 

October 1965.

This estimate had the benefit of the Joint CIA/DIA study of Soviet Ground Forces. It states the new Soviet 

leadership had modified Khrushchev's policy of curbing military costs for general purpose forces. It predicted 

there would be revisions in the forces levels, organization and deployment of the forces in the next ten years, 

and improved capabilities for nonnuclear war. The estimates of the size of the forces reflect the information 

from the joint study and a new confidence in the figures the estimate presented.

Document V-21. Memorandum to Holders NIE 11-14-66, Capabilities of Soviet General Purpose Forces, 

13 March 1967.

The document adjusts the judgments of the current estimate by decreasing the number of category I and II line 

divisions in the order of battle of Soviet Ground Forces.

Document V-22. The Evolution of Soviet Doctrine on Limited War, CIA/DI/OSR33 Intelligence 

Memorandum, 9 October 1967.

In this memorandum, OSR military analysts attempted to interpret the often vague and convoluted text of 

military articles on the doctrine for limited war to clarify the concepts and to gain a better understanding of the 

evolving Soviet view of limited war.

↑ BACK TO CHAPTER 5

DOCUMENTS FOR THE SECOND JOINT STUDY

Document V-23. Mukachevo Army Barracks West-Southwest Carpathian Military District, 

Photographic Intelligence Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, August 1965.

See Document V-74 for an earlier report on this installation.

Document V-24. Pskov Army Barracks Cherekha, USSR, Baltic MD, Imagery Analysis Division, CIA/DI 

Imagery Analysis Division, August 1965.

Document V-25. Probable SCUD34 Missile Unit at Mary North Airfield, USSR, Photographic 

Intelligence Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, August 1965,)

Document V-26. Ground Force Installations in the Vicinity of Tallinn, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Intelligence Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, August 1965.

Document V-27. Selected Soviet Military Storage Areas, USSR, Photographic Intelligence Report, 

CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, August 1965.
Document V-28. Uzhgorod Army Barracks AL-1 Carpathian MD, Photographic Intelligence Report, 

CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, August 1965.

Document V-29. Uzhgorod Army Barracks AL-2, USSR, Carpathian MD, Photographic Intelligence 

Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, September 1965.

Document V-30. Chernovtsy Army Barracks Stalina UL AL-4, USSR, Carpathian MD, Photographic 

Intelligence Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, September 1965.

See Document V-70 for an earlier report on this installation.

Document V-31. Chernovsty Army Barracks South AL 3, USSR, Carpathian MD, Photographic 

Intelligence Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, September 1965.

Document V-32. Chernovtsy Army Barracks Roshtshinskaya AL 2, USSR, Carpathian MD, 

Photographic Intelligence Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, September 1965.

See Document V-72 for an earlier report on this installation.

Document V-33. Stryy Army Barracks Southwest, USSR, Carpathian MD, Photographic Intelligence 

Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis, September 1965.

Document V-34. Stryy Headquarters 27th MECZD35 Division, USSR, Carpathian MD, Photographic 

Intelligence Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, September 1965.

Document V-35. Osipovichi Army Barracks TSEL, USSR, Belorussian MD, Photographic Intelligence 

Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, September 1965.

Document V-36. Paldiski Army Barracks Klooga West, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Intelligence 

Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, September 1965.

Document V-37. Polotsk Army Barracks Borovukha, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographs Intelligence 

Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, September 1965.

Document V-38. Kamenets-Podolskiy Artillery Depot Smotrich, USSR, Carpathian MD, Photographic 

Intelligence Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, September 1965.

Document V-39. Keila Army Barracks Railroad Junction, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Intelligence 

Report, Imagery Analysis Division, September 1965.

Document V-40. Brody Army Barracks Al 2, USSR, Carpathian MD, Photographic Intelligence Report, 

CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, September 1965.

Document V-41. Selected Ground Force Installations in the Vicinity of Moscow, USSR, Moscow MD, 

Photographic Intelligence Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, October 1965.

Document V-42. Sovetsk Army Barracks Taurage SW, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Intelligence 

Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, November 1965.
Document V-43. Gusev Army Barracks North Baltic MD, USSR, Photographic Intelligence Report, 

CIE/DI Imagery Analysis Division, November 1965.

Document V-44. Military Installations Dobele, USSR Baltic MD, Photographic Intelligence Report, 

CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, November 1965.

See also Document V-89 for an earlier report on this installation.

Document V-45. Bolgrad Army Barracks AL-1, USSR,

36 Photographic Intelligence Report, CIA/DI 

Imagery Analysis Division, January 1966.

Document V-46. Engineer Ponton (sic) Bridge Park Kaments Podolskiy USSR, Carpathian MD, 

Photographic Intelligence Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, February 1966.

Document V-47. Tactical Missile Equipment Tbilisi Ordnance Depot and Machine Plant USSR, 

Photographic Intelligence Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, March 1966.)

Document V-48. Possible Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile Support Facility, Uzhgorod, USSR, 

Photographic Intelligence Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, April 1966.

Document V-49. Possible Tactical Cruise Missile Storage Facility, Novosibirsk, USSR, Photographic 

Intelligence Resort, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, May 1966.

Document V-50. Vehicle and Equipment Identification in Selected Motorized Rifle Division 

Installations USSR, Photographic Intelligence Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, May 1966.

Document V-51. Probable SS-1 SCUD Missile Unit, Bayram Ali Army Barracks SE Al-1, USSR, 

Photographic Intelligence Report, CIA/DI Imagery Analysis Division, June 1966.

Document V-52. "USSR Reinforcement Capability", Secretary of Defense Letter to DCI, 17 May 1967.

The Secretary's letter expresses his concerns about IC estimates on Soviet ability to reinforce Central and 

Southern Europe with forces from the USSR and requests a study to refine the existing estimates.

Document V-53. Capabilities of Soviet General Purpose Forces, CIA/DI/OSR Contribution to NIE 11-

14-67, disseminated September 1967.

The analysis concludes, "...the Soviets were taking steps to give their forces the capability to respond to a 

spectrum of contingencies and were transferring some of the responsibility for forces to Warsaw Pact allies for 

the contingency of major military operations against NATO." The East Europeans were modernizing their 

forces, and the Warsaw Pact strategy was increasingly emphasizing national control. However, the analysts 

concluded, "divergent national interests and national control of forces" were reducing the likelihood the 

NSWP37 nations would cooperate in a war against NATO.

Document V-54. This number intentionally left blank.

Document V-55. The Soviet and East European General Purpose Forces, NIE 11-14-67, 16 November 

1967.

This is the periodic IC estimate of Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces. As noted in the conclusions, the section 

dealing with "Capabilities against the Central Region of NATO" is not included in the estimate, because the 

Joint Study requested by Secretary McNamara had not been completed in time to be included in the 1967 
estimate. It does include some estimates of the strength of Soviet-Warsaw Pact forces in the USSR and in 

Warsaw Pact Countries.

Document V-56. Soviet Capabilities to Reinforce in Central Europe, CIA/DIA Joint Study, Initial Study, 

January 1968.

The study is an all-source study but had a strong basis in material supplied by Penkovskiy. (See Document56a.) The summary states that the research to date had raised serious doubts concerning previous estimates of 

the tables of organization and equipment of major units, their actual manning and equipment levels, the extent 

of their capacity for support in sustained operations, and their ability to achieve early massive reinforce with 

present forces. The future work of the joint CIA-DIA study group will concentrate on these and related 

questions.

Document V-56a. The CIA/DIA Joint Study, "Soviet Capabilities to Reinforce in Central Europe"—

Some Support from IRONBARK, CIA DI/ ONE Staff Memorandum, 20 March 1968.

The memorandum provides details of how the materials supplied by Col Penkovskiy in the early 1960s 

provided evidence in support of the efforts of the joint CIA-DIA study.

Document V-57. Soviet Capabilities to Reinforce in Central Europe: Equipment Levels in Soviet 

Combat-Ready Divisions, CIA/DIA Joint Study, August 1968.

This study is based on analysis of repetitive photographic coverage of two typical Soviet combat-ready 

divisions in East Germany in an effort to upgrade US estimates of the true TO&E of Soviet Ground Forces 

divisions. The study concludes a combat-ready Soviet division is smaller and more austerely equipped than 

previously believed.

Document V-58. OSR Contribution to NIE 11-14-68, Soviet and East European General Purpose 

Forces, CIA/DI/OSR, October 1968.

The estimate has the benefit of the Joint CIA-DIA study of the Soviet forces and material. It includes the 

revised data on Soviet capabilities to reinforce its forces in Central Europe. It describes the first major changes 

after 1960 in the Soviet ground forces: increase in the size of forces, alteration of their dispositions and 

extension of the range and variety of their traditional missions. It describes the observations of the Czech 

Crisis as a major source of information on the forces and how they operate. The study also describes new 

insights into Warsaw Pact war planning, combat readiness in peacetime, plans for mobilization, and the need 

for reinforcements in the event of a war with NATO.

Document V-59. Soviet and East European General Purpose Forces, NIE 11-14-68, 12 December 1968.

This is the final version of this estimate with the results of the multi-year effort by CIA and DIA requested by 

Secretary McNamara in May 1967. It provided an IC consensus about the equipment levels and associated 

readiness assessments for Soviet Ground Forces sought by the Secretary.38

Document V-60. The Sharpening Soviet Military Debate on Forces for the 1970s, CIA/DI/ONE 

"Intelligence Memorandum", disseminated 13 December 1968.

The paper is an analysis of articles appearing in the Soviet press by Soviet military officers debating the 

allocation of resources between strategic forces and conventional forces for the 1970s. The military analysts 

also discussed the resulting implications for the ABM treaty and the risks and advantages of pursuing other 

arms limitation talks.

Document V-61. Warsaw Pact Ground Forces Facing NATO, CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence Report, 

September 1969. This is the final OSR contribution to the Joint CIA-DIA Study of the Capabilities of Soviet 

General Purpose Forces.
The report is a comprehensive reassessment of the capabilities and status of the Soviet ground forces based on 

new high resolution satellite photography and a variety of other sources. It covers Soviet ground forces 

facilities and capabilities acquired in the previous three years. The paper concludes the Warsaw Pact was 

probably capable of mobilizing—calling-up, assembling, and forming or integrating into units—the men and 

vehicles required to organize five fronts in Central Europe in about a week if the process is not interrupted by 

hostile military action. Their integration as combat effective units in the theater of operations, particularly at 

the front level, probably would require more time. In an emergency, the mobilization and movement into 

Central Europe of the line divisions and combat support elements of the Carpathian and Belorussian fronts

could probably be accomplished in two weeks, although some important elements of the army and front rear 

services would still be incomplete.

Document V-62. Size and Capabilities of Soviet Field Artillery, CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence Report, 

disseminated October 1969.

The report assesses the evidence of increases in artillery after the fall of Khrushchev and explores the 

implications of the changes for Soviet military doctrine and capabilities. It also discusses the mission and 

strength of Soviet front and army artillery, assesses Soviet artillery doctrine, tactics and gunnery techniques, 

and compares Soviet artillery capabilities with those of NATO.

↑ BACK TO CHAPTER 5

PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION REPORTS FOR THE FIRST STUDY

CARPATHIAN MILITARY DISTRICT

Document V-63. Military Training Area, Mukachevo, USSR, Carpathian MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1964.

The 2,850-acre training area contains two moving target tank firing ranges, a wheeled-vehicle driver training 

course, and extensive combat training areas.

Document V-64. Military Training Area, Uzhgorod, USSR, Carpathian MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, March 1964.

The 3,400-acre military training area has a tracked-vehicle training course, a wheeled-vehicle driver training 

course, a possible range ammunition storage site with six small buildings, a moving target range, possibly used 

by vehicle-mounted automatic weapons, approximately six target runs, a moving target tank firing range and a 

range support facility with 12 permanent support buildings.

Document V-65. Shepetovka Army Barracks, Slavuta, USSR, Carpathian MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The semi-secured 685-acre installation contains 23 multistory barracks, nine multistory administration 

buildings, six single story administration buildings, two multistory probable maintenance buildings, one 

probable single story maintenance building, seven vehicle storage buildings, 46 storage buildings, six possible 

ammunition storage buildings, 24 support buildings, 23 dependent housing quarters, two athletic fields and one 

drill field and reviewing area.

Document V-66. Chernovtsy Army Barracks, Sadgora, Chernovtsy, USSR, Carpathian MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC), June 1964.

The 40-acre probable military barracks contains six probable multistory barracks, seven probable combined 

vehicle storage and maintenance buildings, seven probable storage building and four support buildings. A 

fenced road-and rail-served petroleum storage area contains approximately 16 vertical petroleum storage tanks.
Document V-67. Ammunition Supply Installation, Slavuta, USSR, Carpathian MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, June 1964.

The partially secured 645-acre installation contains six combined administration and support buildings and 23 

revetted or partially revetted ammunition storage buildings.

Document V-68. Kamenets Podolskiy Army Barracks, Southeast Kamenets Podolskiy, USSR, 

Carpathian MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 165-acre installation contains four barracks buildings, six probable dependents quarters, two probable 

administrative buildings, six support buildings, and two athletic fields. There are two barracks within a 

partially fenced area, 10 storage buildings, three probable vehicle storage buildings and a 350-by 40-foot 

unidentified obstacle in the ground.

Document V-69. Chernovtsy Possible Infantry Officers Candidate School, Chernovtsy, USSR, 

Carpathian MD, Photography Interpretation Report, NPIC July 1964.

The two-acre installation is within the Chernovtsy city limits. It contains housing for about 1,900 troops. The 

school area contains one combined multistory barracks and administration building and two probable support 

buildings.

Document V-70. Chernovtsy Army Barracks, Stalina UL, Chernovtsy, USSR, Carpathian MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The partially fenced 60-acre installation is within the Chernovtsy city limits. It contains housing for 

approximately 2,000 troops. The installation has six probable multistory barracks, two probable multistory 

administration buildings, seven probable support buildings, three probable storage buildings, of which one is 

within a fenced area; and one probable drill field. Outside the fenced area there are 10 probable multistory 

dependents quarters and one multistory administration building. [See also V-30 for another report on this 

installation.]

Document V-71. Chernovtsy Army Barracks Southeast Chernovtsy, USSR, Carpathian MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 30-acre secured military barracks area can house approximately 1,500 troops. The installation contains 

three multistory probable barracks, one multistory combined barracks, one administration building, two 

probable administration buildings, two probable combined vehicle storage and maintenance buildings, 10 

storage buildings [one within a fenced area] and nine probable support buildings. Three kms southeast of the 

barracks area is a driver training area and four miscellaneous buildings.

Document V-72. Chernovtsy Army Barracks, Roshtshinskaya, Chernovtsy, USSR, Carpathian MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The secured 35-acre installation can house approximately 1,800 troops. The installation contains three 

probable multistory barracks, one probable combined multistory administration and barracks building, two 

probable combined vehicle maintenance and storage buildings, two probable storage buildings and five 

probable support buildings. (See also V-32 for another report on this installation.)

Document V-73. Stanislav Army Barracks South, Stanislav, USSR, Carpathian MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The large barracks complex contains two army barracks areas, a probable air force barracks area and an air 

force depot. All POL and ammunition storage is located at the airfield and training facilities located three km 

west. The army barracks contains seven multistory barracks, 11 storage buildings, two administration buildings 

and eight support buildings. The main Stanislav Army Barracks South contains six multistory barracks, six 

administration buildings, 17 storage buildings, 15 possible dependents quarters, a vehicle shed, 28 
miscellaneous support buildings and an athletic field. The third barracks area probably serves the airfield. It 

contains an H-shaped administration building, 30 multistory barracks, five single story barracks, 14 probable 

dependents quarters, 12 storage buildings, two motor vehicle storage buildings and nine miscellaneous support 

buildings.

Document V-74. Uzghorod Army Barracks Southwest Uzhgorod, USSR, Carpathian MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

This relatively new small army barracks located within Uzhgorod contains eight multistory barracks buildings, 

four multistory administration buildings, a motor pool and miscellaneous small administration and storage 

buildings. It may house MVD MOOP [militia] troops.

Document V-75. Brody Army Barracks, Brody, USSR, Carpathian MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, August 1964.

The 150-acre facility contains one long U-shaped administration building, six long multistory barracks 

buildings, one single-story barracks building, nine storage buildings, an athletic field with an oval track and a 

small, possible civilian, housing area.

Document V-76. Military Installation North, Brody, USSR, Carpathian MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, August 1964.

The 230-acre facility contains long, one single-story barracks, 10 multistory barracks, one T-shaped multistory 

administration building, one possible athletic building or drill hall with an associated oval track, four storage 

buildings, a small motor pool, one maintenance building, two small arms ranges, a pistol range, a large training 

area with a figure-8 driver training course and a fenced communications site.

Document V-77. POL Facilities, Brody, USSR, Carpathian MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, 

NPIC, August 1964.

The installation has two fenced POL facilities. The larger 39-acre facility contains 10 vertical tanks and two 

rectangular-concrete open-reservoirs. It is served by two rail spurs that form two POL loading docks. Two 

possible tank foundations are in the open storage area. The smaller facility contains nine tanks and a rail spur 

that does not appear to have loading gear, and three small probable storage buildings. The smaller facility 

contains nine tanks and a rail spur with no loading gear and three storage buildings.

Document V-78. Chernovtsy Headquarters 66th Guards Rifle Division, Chernovtsy, USSR, 

Carpathian MD, Photography Interpretation Report, NPIC, August 1964.

The eight-acre installation is capable of housing 500 troops. It contains one multistory possible barracks, a Ushaped, multistory possible administration building, three probable support buildings and four probable storage 

buildings.

Document V-79. Mukachevo Army Barracks, West-Southwest Mukachevo, USSR, Carpathian MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, August 1964.

The report describes a medium-size barracks area located on the western edge of Mukachevo that has not 

expanded much since WWII because of the civilian residential areas surrounding it. The installation may be 

the headquarters and major elements of a motorized rifle division. It contains 19 barracks, 6 administration 

buildings, four probable warehouses, a possible gymnasium, three motor parks with storage and maintenance 

buildings, an athletic field, and extensive vehicle storage and maintenance areas. See Document V-23 for an 

earlier report on this installation.

Document V-80. Uzhgorod Army Barracks North Uzhgorod, USSR Carpathian MD, Photographic 

Interpretations Report, NPIC, August 1964.
The installation is divided into three main areas. Area D1 contains a large headquarters building and 

miscellaneous small administration buildings. Area J contains vehicle and equipment parks with general 

storage and maintenance buildings. Area D2 is a barracks area with seven large multistory barracks building 

and miscellaneous smaller administration buildings.

Document V-81. Mukachevo Army Barracks, Southwest Mukachevo, USSR, Carpathian MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, September 1964.

The installation is a small barracks area near the center of Mukachevo that has not changed much since WWII 

photography except for a new barracks area. Based on the mainly headquarters-type buildings and barracks the 

report judges that this installation has an administrative function.

Document V-82. Mukachevo Army Barracks, Svalyava, USSR. Carpathian MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, September 1964.

The facility is a support and maintenance-type installation located across the Latoritsa River from Svalyava 

and 23 km from Mukachevo. It contains approximately 15 barracks, 12 smaller dwellings, 18 combinedmaintenance and storage buildings and numerous small miscellaneous buildings. It contains a support area and 

a training area.

Document V-83. Military Training Area, Slavuta, USSR, Carpathian MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, September 1964.

The 1,000-acre military training installation contains a tracked-vehicle driver training course, two small-arms 

ranges, four probable flat-trajectory firing ranges and a moving target tank firing range.

Document V-84. Military Storage Site Near Uzhgorod, USSR, Carpathian MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, September 1964.

The military storage site contains 20 storage buildings, 15 of which show evidence of blast protection. There 

are four types of storage buildings, designed as A, B, C, and D. Type A buildings have two revetted, gableroof buildings with five evenly space ventilators along the peak of the roof. Type B buildings are two semiburied buildings with drive-in entrances, one of which is protected on two sides by a blast wall. 14 buildings 

are designated as type C, of these 11 are revetted.

Document V-85. Uzhgorod Ammunition Depot Dravce, USSR Carpathian MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, September 1964.

The medium-size ammunition depot contains 15 revetted storage building, five barracks, 11 small 

administration buildings, several small miscellaneous buildings and a motor pool. It has a rail spur.

Document V-86. Uzhgorod Army Barracks Southeast, Uzhgorod, USSR, Carpathian MD, October 

1964, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, October 1964.

The medium-sized military installation located on the outskirts of Uzhgorod has undergone considerable 

expansion since WWII. It contains troop barracks, warehouses, vehicle maintenance and storage buildings, 

POL and ammunition storage and a small arms firing range. It reportedly houses AAA39, tank and motorized 

rifle troops.

↑ BACK TO CHAPTER 5

BALTIC MILITARY DISTRICT

Document-V-87. Riga Army Training Area Ropazi North, Riga, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.
The approximately 16,000-acre training installation contains small-arms firing ranges, driver-training areas, 

tank and assault-gun firing ranges, flat-trajectory firing ranges and two bivouac areas. It is probably used by all 

military units in Riga and the surrounding areas.

Document V-88. Krustpils Barracks Dvina River East, Krustpils, Latvia, USSR Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

The 123-acre installation includes ten acres of possible open storage at the northern end of the compound. 

Inside the compound there are 96 buildings, mainly barracks and support buildings.

Document V-89. Dobele Army Barracks Northwest, Dobele, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

This 200-acre installation is probably associated with Dobele Army Barracks and probably provides logistic 

and administrative support for the Dobele Army Training Area. The installation contains eight barracks, 13 

administration buildings, 14 vehicle maintenance and storage buildings, two motor parks and four small arms 

ranges. [See also V-44 for another report on this installation.]

Document V-90. Dobele Army Barracks, Dobele, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, November 1964.

This 250-acre installation contains 34 combined barracks and administration buildings, 19 storage buildings, 

nine vehicle storage and maintenance buildings, 12 probable support buildings and a small-arms range. [See 

also Document V-44 for another report on this facility].

Document V-91. Ammunition and Storage Area, Daugavpils, Latvia Oblast, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

Each facility in this 145-acre installation has a single fence. Together they contain five administrative 

buildings, 56 storage buildings, six revetted ammunition storage buildings, and seventeen support buildings.

Document V-92. Storage Area, Daugavpils, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, November 1964.

This 250-acre installation contains seven administration buildings, nine barracks, 90 storage buildings and 19 

support buildings.

Document V-93. Daugavpils Army Barracks, Daugavpils, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

This 275-acre installation is secured by a wall and contains the army barracks and probably an air academy. It 

has six administration buildings, 32 barracks and billeting buildings, 15 storage buildings, 36 support and 

maintenance buildings and two athletic fields.

Document V-94. Gvardeysk Army Barracks Northeast, Gvardeysk, Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, Baltic 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

This 70-acre installation contains one administration building, five barracks, 15 storage buildings, three vehicle 

sheds, one vehicle maintenance building and 21 support building.

Document V-95. Sovetsk Army Barracks Neman, Neman, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

This 163-acre installation contains two multistory combined administration and barracks buildings, one 

probable multistory barracks, one probable administration building, seven single story barracks, 27 support 

buildings, eight storage buildings, six probable storage buildings, two combined vehicle maintenance and 
storage buildings and one probable vehicle shed. Training facilities for the installation are a large, wheeled 

vehicle, driver-training area.

Document V-96. Sovetsk Army Barracks Neman Northwest, Neman, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

The 110.7-acre installation contains four multistory combined administrative buildings and barracks, six 

single-story barracks, 20 storage buildings, 36 support buildings and two vehicle Maintenance and storage 

buildings.

Document V-97. Pabrade Army Barracks, Pabrade, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

The 100-acre barracks area contains 4 barracks, six administration buildings, 19 storage buildings, one 

probably vehicle combined maintenance and storage building and nine support buildings.

Document V-98. Explosives Storage Depot, Neman, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

The 40-acre explosive double-fenced storage depot contains eight storage buildings, one administration 

building, two bunkered explosives storage buildings and three small support buildings.

Document V-99. Kaliningrad Training Area Mendenau I, Kaliningrad, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

This 4,400-acre installation is probably used by the various military units stationed in and around Kaliningrad. 

The Mendenau I driver training areas include Area M1 with a closed-circuit tracked-vehicle driver-training 

course. Area M2 contains a closed-circuit tracked-vehicle driver-training course and a probable wheeledvehicle driver-training area. Area M3 contains a closed-circuit tracked-vehicle driver training course and a 

probable wheeled vehicle driver training area. The Tank and assault-gun firing range contains six 2,500 foot 

runs, five moving targets and two stationary earth embankments. There are two training areas that are not a 

part of the Mendenau I but they are connected by road and probably associated with it. One is a 1,000-acre 

training area to the south that contains a tracked-vehicle driver-training course and a probable bivouac area. 

The second is a 2,000-acre training area to the northwest that appears to be primarily used for driver training.

Document V-100. Kaliningrad Army Barracks Kummerau, Kaliningrad, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 100-acre installation contains 30 barracks, 14 administration buildings, 11 combined vehicle maintenance 

and storage buildings, 17 storage buildings and seven support buildings.

Document V-101. Kaliningrad Army Barracks Rothenstein, Kaliningrad, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 60-acre installation contains seven barracks, three probable administration buildings, eight vehicle-and 

equipment-sheds, two vehicle maintenance buildings, three storage buildings and 10 support buildings.

Document V-102. Kaliningrad Army Barracks Ballit, Kaliningrad, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

This 500-acre installation is on the northern outskirts of Kaliningrad. It contains 10 multistory barracks, six 

administration buildings, three vehicle storage and maintenance buildings, nine storage buildings, nine support 

buildings, a figure-eight driver-training course and an athletic field. Associated with it is a training area with 

four small-arms ranges, a tank and assault-gun firing range, a flat-trajectory firing range, a possible trackedwheel vehicle driver-training course and a small secured ammunition storage area.
Document V-103. Riga Army Barracks East, Riga, Latvia Oblast, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The less than 20-acre small barracks area is near the center of Riga. It contains three barracks and a motor 

vehicle park with approximately 120 vehicles and pieces of equipment parked in the area.

Document V-104. Gusev Army Barracks North, Gusev, Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

This 150-acre secured barracks installation contains one administration building, seven barracks, 12 storage 

buildings, five vehicle maintenance and storage buildings, and two motor parks with probable tanks and SP40

guns and vehicles. There is a small-arms firing range and two sub-caliber firing ranges at the northern end of 

the installation.

Document V-105. Bagrationovsk Army Barracks, Bagrationovsk, Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, Baltic 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

This 300-acre barracks area contains 13 multi-story barracks,48 single story dwellings, 28 single-story support 

buildings, 12 single-story storage buildings, one vehicle maintenance building, three athletic fields, one smallarms firing range and one small cross-country driver-training course.

Document 106. Bagrationovsk Ordnance Depot Dolgorukovo 214B, Dolgorukovo, Kaliningrad 

Oblast, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

This 700-acre depot contains 30 single-story storage buildings in a heavily wooded area, 17 single-story 

dwellings at the entrance and an athletic field.

Document V-107. Bagrationovsk Army Barracks Dolgorukovo SE, Dolgorukovo, Kaliningrad, Oblast, 

USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

This 680-barracks area contains five multistory administration buildings, 26 multistory barracks, 18 single 

story storage buildings, 30 support buildings, one athletic field, three small-arms firing ranges and a figureeight driver-training course.

Document V-108. Riga Army Barracks Northeast Riga, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, January 1965.

The report describes a second secured installation located in the northeast corner of Riga. It contains eleven 

barracks, nine combined administration and support buildings, 29 storage buildings, a tall building, possibly a 

grain elevator with a conveyer system, two vehicle storage and support buildings and a support building, but 

no vehicle training facilities.

Document V-109. Riga Ammunition Depot Ropazi, Riga, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, January 1965.

The depot is secured with a double fence and firebreaks and is divided into three separate sections: a 50-acre 

general storage area, an ammunition storage area and support area. The PI judges that it probably stores 

explosives and general supplies for the Riga training area and for the other close-by military installations. The 

ammunition storage area contains seven large and 45 small revetted and bunkered explosives storage buildings. 

The general storage area contains 35 buildings including one possible administration building, 26 storage 

buildings and eight support buildings. The support area, which is not fenced, contains one possible barracks 

and five support buildings.

Document V-110. Chernyakhovsk Army Barracks West, Chernyakhovsk, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, January 1965.

The 40-acre installation contains 10 multistory barracks, five administration buildings, three L-shaped 
administration buildings, two storage buildings, four support buildings, two vehicle storage buildings and three 

POL storage areas.

Document V-111. Chernyakhovsk Army Barracks Angerapp River South, Chernyakhovsk, Latvia, 

USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, January 1965.

The 200-acre installation contains 16 multistory combined barracks and administration buildings, 10 singlestory barracks, 13 storage buildings and 10 support buildings. There are two general storage areas: one 

contains 12 single story storage buildings, the second contains five single story storage buildings, four support 

buildings and an administrations building. There are two equipment storage and maintenance and vehicle 

areas. One contains five vehicle storage buildings. The second area contains five vehicle storage and 

maintenance buildings, two combined barracks and administration buildings, two storage buildings and four 

support buildings. There is an athletic field and seven unidentified buildings.

Document V-112. Pabrade Army Training Area Northeast, Pabrade, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, January 1965.

This 8,000-acre training area contains six permanent administration buildings, two storage buildings and 

approximately 150 tents or tent bases. There are several artillery emplacements, a probable artillery impact 

area and a tank firing range suggesting that this training area is used both by tank and artillery units.

Document V-113. Military Installation, Aste, Saaremaa Island, Estonia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, January 1965.

This 94-acre installation is associated with Aste Airfield and contains barracks, administration buildings, 

storage buildings, support buildings, combined vehicle storage and maintenance buildings and a motor park.

Document V-114. Sovetsk Army Barracks West, Sovetsk, Latvia, SSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, January 1965.

The 253-acre installation contains multistory barracks, and buildings for administration, storage, support, 

vehicle storage and vehicle maintenance buildings. A 316 acre infantry or combined-arms field training area 

adjacent to the installation has three small-arms firing ranges.

Document V-115. Sovetsk Army Barracks Central Sovetsk, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 41-acre installation contains multistory barracks, administration and support buildings, storage buildings, 

combined vehicle storage and maintenance buildings, a school and hospital. A secured seven-acre POL storage 

area contains six large cylindrical tanks, five small cylindrical tanks, two support buildings and open storage.

Document V-116. Baltiysk Army Barracks Primorsk, Kaliningrad, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 70-acre installation contains five barracks, two administration buildings, five vehicle storage and 

maintenance buildings, one storage-shed and three support buildings. The Kaliningrad SAM site is 3km west 

of this installation.

Document V-117. Znamensk Army Barracks, Znamensk, Kaliningrad, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 185-acre installation contains four barracks, four combined barracks and administration buildings, three 

administration buildings, 10 probable quarters, eight general storage buildings, seven vehicle maintenance and 

storage buildings, 45 support buildings, and a double-secured possible ammunition storage area with two 

bunkers. A small training area immediately south contains a possible small-arms firing range. A secured 

probable explosives storage area contains 35storage bunker-type structures and 21 probable support buildings.
Document V-118. Kaliningrad Army Barracks Southwest and Kaliningrad Army Barracks Ponart, 

Kaliningrad, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, January 1965.

The 25-acre barracks installation is located 3 km southwest of Kaliningrad. It contains three barracks, two 

administration buildings, four combined vehicle storage and maintenance buildings, two storage and four 

support buildings.

Document V-119. Chernyakhovsk Army Barracks North, Chernyakhovsk, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 185-acre barracks area is associated with the Chernyakhovsk Barracks Horstenau III [Document V-120] 

Area D1 contains 15 multistory combined barracks and administration buildings, two administration buildings, 

three storage buildings and four support buildings. Area D2 contains four barracks buildings, two 

administration buildings, six storage buildings, 25 support buildings, one vehicle maintenance building and 

two vehicle storage buildings. Area E contains three storage buildings and five support buildings. Area J1 

contains seven support buildings, five storage buildings, one vehicle storage building, an athletic field and two 

large driver-training areas.

Document V-120. Chernyakhovsk Army Barracks Horstenau III, Chernyakhovsk, Latvia, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

This installation is associated with the Chernyakhovsk Army Barracks North [Document V-119]. The 105-acre 

barracks area contains 20 barracks, five administration building, one multistory administration building, 21 

storage buildings and 21 support buildings. The ammunition storage area contains one ammunition storage 

bunker and one ammunition storage building. There also are five vehicle storage buildings, 3 vehicle 

maintenance buildings and one probable vehicle maintenance or general storage building, one L-shaped 

vehicle storage building, one L-shaped combination vehicle storage and maintenance building, one small arms 

firing range, one tank and assault gun firing range and one flat-trajectory firing range.

Document V-121. Chernyakhovsk Training Areas, Chernyakhovsk, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The three training areas located in the vicinity of Chernyakhovsk are Chernyakhovsk Training Area 

Angerlinde, Chernyakhovsk Training Area I and Chernyakhovsk Training Area II. All three are associated 

with army barracks in the city of Chernyakhovsk. The 1,250-acre Area Angerlinde contains several flattrajectory firing ranges, two small arms firing ranges and an ammunition storage area. The 8.020-acre training 

Area 1 contains one tank and assault gun firing range, two flat-trajectory firing ranges, a small arms firing 

range, a tracked-vehicle driver training course and an ammunition storage area. The 4,955-acre Training Area 

II contains two probable tank and assault-gun firing ranges, an ammunition storage area, an unidentified 

support area with several buildings and unidentified tracks.

Document V-122. Explosives Storage Area, Salaspils, Riga, Latvia, USR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The report describes a secure 30-acre probable military explosive storage area surrounded by a fence and a 

firebreak. It contains one administration building and five unrevetted buildings.

Document V-123. Possible Explosive Storage Area, Riga, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, February 1965.

The less than 20-acre possible explosives storage installation contains five storage buildings, a guardhouse, a 

probable explosive storage bunker, a possible secured storage bunker and a possible storage tank. The report 

states the buildings are not revetted. The blast protection for the storage facilities is provided by the natural 

terrain.
Document V-124. Riga Army Barracks Yugla, Riga, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The secured 50-acre barracks is in the city of Riga. Its housing and administration area contains 11 barracks 

and 22 other buildings, one motor vehicle storage and maintenance building, a storage area with seven storage 

buildings and one support building. There are no training facilities.

Document V-125. Probable Military Barracks, Riga, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 25-acre probable military barracks installation is located in the city of Riga. It has a barracks and 

administration area with six barracks, seven other buildings and a motor pool with five buildings.

Document V-126. Riga Army Barracks Bolderaya, Riga, Latvia, U SSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The barracks is located in Riga 2 kms. from a 45-acre secured probable explosives storage area. The barracks 

area contains six probable barracks, 10 other buildings, an old earthen fort, a probable water tower, and a 

motor pool with four vehicle storage buildings and a maintenance building. Two additional possible military 

areas are adjacent to the barracks area: one contains two possible barracks and support building and the other 

contains unidentified buildings, an athletic field and a probable sports field.

Document V-127. Riga Army Barracks, Riga Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The fenced 50-acre installation is located in the northeast corner of Riga. It appears to be primarily a secured 

military warehouse and storage facility. It contains 11 barracks, three administration buildings, 42 storage 

buildings, eight support buildings and four possible POL storage tanks.

Document V-128. Riga Army Barracks Nordeki, Riga, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The secured 50-acre military installation is located in the city of Riga. The 50-acre installation contains 51 

buildings including: seven multistory barracks, three multistory administration buildings, 18 storage buildings, 

23 support buildings and possible water tanks. There were no motor vehicles, motor vehicle buildings or 

training facilities.

Document V-129. Military Installation, Riga Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The PI was unable to determine the function of the 100-acre installation. It contains two multistory probable 

barracks, five combined support and storage buildings, a motor vehicle park, a probable combined motor 

vehicle and equipment maintenance area, a rail transshipment area, a possible POL storage area and five areas 

of unidentified activity.

Document V-130. Riga Army Barracks Bukulti, Riga, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The secured installation is in the city of Riga and is divided into two areas: housing and administration area 

and a training area. The housing area contains four barracks, a combined housing and administration building, 

a storage shed, a guardhouse, and six support buildings, a secured storage building, four explosive storage 

bunkers and three other buildings. The equipment storage and maintenance area contains three motor vehicle 

storage buildings, an administration building and five support buildings. The training area contains an athletic 

field with an oval track, a small arms firing range and a possible infantry training area.
Document V-131. Riga Arsenal, Riga, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, 

NPIC, February 1965.

The 45-acre secured arsenal contains 34 buildings including two multistory administration buildings, a 

combined administration and support building, six multistory barracks, 24 combined storage and maintenance 

buildings, and a probable motor vehicle combined storage and maintenance building.

Document V-132. Ogre Ammunition Depot, Ogre (Riga), Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 180-acre installation is secured by a firebreak. It contains 31 dispersed storage buildings and three other 

structures, none of which appear to be revetted. The support area contains a motor pool with two support 

buildings, a vehicle storage building, a vehicle maintenance building and a combined administration and 

housing sector with three possible barracks, one possible administration building and two support buildings.

Document V-133. Haapsalu Army Barracks East, Haapsalu, Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

This 275-acre installation contains 26 administrative, barracks, storage, and vehicle maintenance and storagetype buildings, 34 support buildings and 20 unidentified buildings associated with an unidentified activity.

Document V-134. Army Barracks, Kaliningrad, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 500-acre installation contains 14 barracks, three administration buildings, four vehicle and equipment 

storage buildings, three vehicle and equipment maintenance buildings, ten storage buildings, eight support 

buildings, two wheeled-vehicle driver-training areas, two small-arms ranges, an obstacle course, a six-gun 

AAA site, an athletic field, a parade field, a possible amphibious training area and three areas of unidentified 

activity.

Document V-135. Kaliningrad Army Barracks Northwest, Kaliningrad, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

This 50-acre installation contains four multistory barracks, four administration buildings, six vehicle storage 

and maintenance buildings, four storage buildings, four support buildings and an athletic field.

Document V-136. Kaliningrad Army Barracks Northeast, Kaliningrad, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 50-acre installation contains one large U-shaped barracks, three combined barracks and administration 

buildings, one vehicle maintenance building, three vehicle storage buildings, three storage buildings and an 

athletic field.

Document V-137. Kaliningrad Ammunition Depot Medenau, Kaliningrad, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The secured 1,200-acre installation contains a total of 28 ammunition storage buildings, 12 administration and 

support buildings.

Document V-138. Kaliningrad Ammunition Depot Gross Blyumenau, Kaliningrad, Latvia, USSR, 

Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 350-acre installation contains three multistory barracks, two combined barracks and administration 

buildings, 41 general storage buildings, seven ammunition storage buildings and three support buildings.

Document V-139. Probable Ammunition Storage Area, Kaliningrad, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.
The 700-acre installation contains 82 probable ammunition storage buildings, two other storage buildings and 

four probable administration buildings.

Document V-140. Prienai Army Barracks, Prienai, Kaliningrad, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

This 57-acre barracks area contains three multistory barracks, two single story barracks, one multistory 

administration building, nine single-story general storage buildings, four support buildings, three vehicle 

maintenance and storage buildings, and a driver-training course.

Document V-141. Kaliningrad Army Barracks Sharlottenburg, Kaliningrad, Latvia, USSR, Baltic 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 35-acre barracks installation contains 10 multistory combined barracks and administration buildings, nine 

vehicle-and equipment-sheds, two vehicle storage buildings, one vehicle storage maintenance building, three 

support buildings and a wheeled-vehicle driver-training course.

Document V-142. Kaliningrad Army Barracks Rozenau, Kaliningrad, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 150-acre barracks installation contains 16 multistory barracks, three multistory combined barracks and 

administration buildings, seven administration buildings, 16 combined vehicle storage and maintenance 

buildings, 11 storage buildings and 12 support buildings. Adjacent to the installation is an area containing 

tracked and wheeled vehicle driver-training courses. A 350-acre training area is probably associated with the 

installation. It contains a tank and assault-gun firing range, a probable flat-trajectory firing range and two areas 

of unidentified activity.

Document V-143. Marijampoll Army Barracks, Marijampoll, Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 160-acre installation contains five administrative buildings, seven barracks, four storage buildings, three 

vehicle maintenance and storage buildings, 21 support buildings and three small training areas. The northwest 

training area is being used for driver training.

Document V-144. Keila Army Barracks Railroad Junction, Keila, Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, Baltic 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 66-acre installation contains 10 barracks, one administration building, two storage buildings, three vehicle 

maintenance and storage buildings and 32 support buildings. There is a 460-acre driver-training area with a 

control tower and six small support buildings.

Document V-145. Kaunas Army Barracks South and Kaunas Army Barracks and Depot, Kaunas, 

Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 142-acre installation contains 10 administration buildings, 41 barracks, 43 storage buildings, four vehicle 

storage and maintenance buildings, and two storage buildings in a POL storage area.

Document V-146. Kaunas Army Barracks Nemunas River, Kaunas, Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, Baltic 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

This 73-acre installation contains two administration buildings, seven multistory barracks, three single story 

barracks, 23 storage buildings, 16 vehicle maintenance and storage buildings and 11 dependents housing units.

Document V-147. Kaunas Ordnance Depot PUG, Kaunas, Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

This 83-acre secured storage area is divided into two sections. The main storage area contains one 
administration building, two barracks, one probable vehicle maintenance building, 11 storage buildings, two 

revetted storage buildings and one possible revetted storage building. The second area contains one 

administration building and possible open storage.

Document V-148. Kaunas Army Barracks Kipro, Kaunas, Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 30-acre installation contains two multistory barracks, two administrations buildings, 19 general storage 

buildings, three vehicle storage and maintenance buildings and one unidentified building.

Document V-149. Kaunas Army Barracks Southeast, Kaunas, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 655-acre installation includes a 194-acre barracks and storage area containing three administration 

buildings, 10 multistory barracks, nine single-story barracks, 39 general storage buildings, 22 combined 

vehicle maintenance and storage buildings, three miscellaneous buildings and three possible bunkered 

ammunition storage buildings. A secured POL storage area contains two buildings and two tanks. The training 

area contains two driver-training courses, two small arms firing ranges, and an old fort probably used for 

storage.

Document V-150. Gusev Army Barracks Rominte River south, Gusev, Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, 

Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 53-acre installation contains one U-shaped combined barracks and administration building, thirteen 

barracks, seven storage buildings, two vehicle garages and a small-arms firing range.

Document V-151. Gusev Military Barracks Northeast, Gusev, Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

This 130-acre installation contains one probable combined barracks and administration building, 14 barracks, 

12 general storage buildings, seven vehicle maintenance and storage buildings, a motor park with probable 

tanks and SP guns and vehicles. There are four firing ranges and a driver-training course with one unidentified 

building.

Document V-152. Army Barracks, Kuressaare, Saaremaa Island, Estonia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 185-acre installation contains 26 buildings, including six barracks, three administration buildings, nine 

storage buildings, six support buildings and two combined vehicle storage and maintenance buildings. There is 

a probable firing range and a small driver training area.

Document V-153. Storage Area, Kihelkonna, Saaremaa Island, Estonia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 120-acre installation contains administration and storage buildings.

Document V-154. Tank and Assault-Gun Firing Range, Kardle, Hiumaa Island, Estonia, USSR Baltic 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The firing range contains three lanes and two moving target tracks.

Document V-155. Military Installation, Saaremaa Island, Estonia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 110-acre military installation contains family quarters, multistory barracks, administration buildings, 

storage buildings, a probable combined vehicle and maintenance storage building and support buildings. The 
Monnuste Air Defense Sector Headquarters is located here. A secured 10-acre rail-served ammunition storage 

area south of this installation contains at least three storage buildings.

Document V-156. Vilnyus Military Barracks Viliya River, Vilnyus, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

This 160-acre road-served, partially secured military area contains 21 barracks, three administration buildings, 

13 general storage buildings, 10 support buildings, six unidentified and one possible bunkered building, 15 

vehicle maintenance and storage buildings and two open storage areas.

Document V-157. Dobele Army Training Area, Dobele, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The training installation contains several buildings probably used for range support, including an irregular 

closed-circuit tracked-vehicle driver-training course, several irregular tracked-vehicle driver training courses, 

several irregular tracked-vehicle driver-training course, a wheeled-vehicle driver-training course, a tank and 

assault gun firing range and a flat-trajectory firing range. The Dobele Barracks Northwest [see Document V90] is adjacent to the training area and probably provides logistic and administrative support. Units from the 

Dobele Army Barracks may also use this training area.

Document V-158. Jagala Barracks and Training Area, Jagala, Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The 175-acre installation contains 144 buildings including six combined barracks and administration buildings, 

five combined vehicle maintenance and storage buildings, seven storage buildings, 58 support buildings and 68 

quarters-type buildings.

Document V-159. Kybartai Army Barracks, Kybartai, Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

This 152-acre installation contains six administration buildings, 23 barracks or civilian housing buildings, 17 

support buildings, six storage structures, eight vehicle maintenance and storage buildings with a total of 60 

vehicles in the area, one oval track, possible helicopter parking aprons and an associated SAM site.

Document V-160. Priekule Army Barracks Northeast, Priekule, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The 275-acre installation contains 15 barracks, seven administration buildings, 18 support buildings, 30 

storage buildings, and 28 quarters for dependents. A storage area two km east contains 19 storage buildings 

and one support building and is probably associated with this installation.

Document V-161. Paplaka Army Camp, Paplaka, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The 125-acre installation contains 88 buildings including 12 storage buildings, 38 support buildings, one 

vehicle storage building, four combined vehicle storage and maintenance buildings, 11 dependents quarters, 17 

barracks and five combined barracks and administration buildings.

Document V-162. Jelgava Supply Depot Northeast, Jelgava, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

This 40-acre supply depot contains 43 buildings including three administration buildings, 19 barracks, 13 

support buildings, five storage buildings and three dependent housing buildings. It also contains 15 vertical 

POL tanks and two athletic fields.
Document V-163. Jelgava Army Barracks, Jelgava, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

This 40-acre fenced installation contains 11 combined barracks and administration buildings, five storage and 

support buildings, one combined vehicle maintenance and storage building, 2 vehicle-sheds, two support 

buildings and one athletic field.

Document V-164. Military Storage Area, Znamensk, Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The 300-acre storage area contains three administration buildings, three storage buildings, 34 probable storage 

buildings and 10 support buildings.

Document V-165. Vilnyus Army Barracks, Vilnyus, Kaliningrad Oblast, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The partially secured-145 acre military area contains 25 barracks, four administration buildings, 12 support 

buildings, one vehicle maintenance and storage building and 36 storage buildings.

Document V-166. Vilnius Ammunition Storage Area Dubovka, Vilnius, Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, 

Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

This 55-acre ammunition storage area contains four revetted storage buildings, a storage and support building 

and a small-arms firing range.

Document V-167. Gusev Army Training Area, Gusev, Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

This 100-acre installation is one of two training areas in Gusev [See Document V-160]. It contains two flattrajectory ranges, a small-arms firing range, a driver-training course and infantry training facilities.

Document V-168. Gusev Training Area Southwest, Gusev, Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

This 1,000-acre area contains two driver-training course [Document V-167], two flat-trajectory ranges, a tank 

and assault-gun firing range and a range support area with 19 support and storage buildings.

Document V-169. Sovetsk Army Barracks Taurage, Taurage, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

This 51-acre installation contains 21 buildings, including four combined barracks and administration buildings, 

four storage building, five probable combined equipment storage and maintenance buildings, eight support 

buildings and one athletic field. [See also V-42 for another report on this installation.]

Document V-170. Siauliai Army Barracks Radviliskis, Radviliskis, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The 50-acre installation contains three barracks, two administration buildings, nine storage buildings, one 

vehicle maintenance building, three support buildings, two athletic fields and a small arms firing range.

Document V-171. Plunge Army Barracks, Plunge, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The 250-acre main barracks area and the 15-acre main storage and receiving area contain 11 barracks, five 

combination barracks and administration buildings, three administration buildings, eight storage, 13 support 

buildings, six combined vehicle storage and maintenance buildings and three probable missile-associated 

drive-through buildings. There are two trackside docks and a small-arms firing range in the main barracks area.
Document V-172. Palanga Army Training Area Nemirseta, Palanga, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The 1,200-acre training area contains one flat trajectory range, one driver-training course, one vehicle park, 

one combined administration and bivouac area and one artillery training area. There are two administration 

buildings, 10 support buildings, and four combined barracks and administration buildings.

Document V-173. Training Area, Marijampole, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The 700-acre training area contains a tent area, a support area, a wheeled-vehicle driver-training course and a 

flat-trajectory range for automatic weapons mounted on wheeled vehicles.

Document V-174. Klaipeda Army Barracks North, Klaipeda, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The 108-acre installation contains 27 buildings including five administrative buildings, eight barracks, seven 

storage buildings, two vehicle storage buildings and five support buildings. An ammunition storage area is at 

the north end. It contains six storage buildings.

Document V-175. Training Area, Kaunas, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The eight square-mile training area is probably utilized by the army units stationed in Kaunas. It contains a 

section with approximately 42 tents, a small secured tract with four buildings, a flat-trajectory range with four 

moving targets and an unidentified area.

Document V-176. Jonava Army Barracks Southeast, Jonava, Lithuania, USSR. Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The 700-acre Army Barracks contains one troop housing-and-administration area, two tent areas, a motor pool 

and equipment maintenance area, a POL storage area and an explosives storage area. Training is conducted in 

the Jonava Maneuver area.

Document V-177. Jonava Maneuver Area Southeast, Jonava, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The 10,000-acre training area contains a flat-trajectory range, small arms firing range, two driver-training 

courses, a tank and SP gun range, and one eight 8-gun AAA facility, one infantry training area, a vehiclemounted weapons range, an electronic facility, rail head and an active SAM site. Two large MRBM complexes 

are located near Jonava.

Document V-178. Ammunition Depot, Valga, Estonia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The 43-acre ammunition depot contains at least seven, and possibly 10, bunkers and one storage building. The 

facility is rail-and road-served and possibly fenced.

Document V-179. Tapa Army Barracks West, Tapa, Estonia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The 290-acre installation contains barracks and driver-training areas. The 80-acre barracks area contains five 

combined barracks and administration buildings, 13 dependents quarters, 18 support buildings, eight storage 

buildings, eight barracks, two vehicle maintenance buildings, seven vehicle storage buildings, one vehicle park 

and one athletic field. The 210-acre driver-training area contains various vehicle obstacles.
Document V-180. Pechory Training Area Northeast Pechory, Estonia, USSR, Baltic, MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The 10,000-acre installation contains one tank and assault-gun firing range, a possible flat-trajectory firing 

range, a tracked and wheeled vehicle driver-training area, a tracked-vehicle driver-training area, a wheeled 

vehicle driver-training area, and a support facility with eight buildings.

Document V-181. Parnu Army Barracks, Parnu, Estonia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The 50-acre is a combined Army Barracks and POL storage facility The barracks area contains nine barracks, 

two administration buildings, four storage buildings, five support buildings, one combined maintenance and 

support building, a vehicle park or open storage, probable open storage and a drill field. The POL area contains 

seven vertical tanks and two possible tanks.

Document V-182. Military Installation, Orissaare, Saaremaa Island, Estonia SSR, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

This 65-acre Saaremaa Island installation contains 2 barracks, five administration buildings, nine storage 

buildings, three support buildings and a maintenance building.

Document V-183. Aegviidu Army Training Area Valgajoe, Jagala, Estonia, Oblast, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The 4000-acre training area includes an armored vehicle range, a driver-training course, numerous infantry and 

artillery emplacements, a support area and a probable tent area. A probable vehicle park is near the armor 

range.

Document V-184. Armor Firing Range, Ventspils, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The 200-acre range contains three vehicle runs and five moving targets. There is a small support area with 

three support structures and a guard building at the entrance.

Document V-185. Barracks Area, Sovetsk, Latvia, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, 

March 1965.

The 75-acre installation contains barracks, dependents quarters, administration, storage, support, and combined 

vehicle maintenance and storage buildings.

Document V-186. Liepaja Army Barracks North, Liepaja, Leningrad, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, March 1965.

The 58-acre barracks contains 14 quarters, seven support buildings, seven combined storage and support 

buildings, four multistory barracks, two multistory administration buildings and combined vehicle 

maintenance and storage buildings.

Document V-187. Liepaja Barracks North and Liepaja Training Area North, Liepaja, Latvia, USSR, 

Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, April 1965.

The installation contains a 500-acre barracks area and a 740-acre training area. The barracks area contains 

seven multistory barracks, six other barracks, five quarters, 29 multistory combined barracks and 

administration buildings, and 35 combined support and storage buildings. The training area contains only a 

tank and assault-gun firing range.

Document V-188. Ammunition Storage Facility, Jelgava, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, April 1965.
The three-acre facility contains four multistory combined barracks and administration buildings, three support 

buildings and nine underground storage bunkers.

Document V-189. Jelgava Ordnance Depot Southwest, Jelgava, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, April 1965.

The 60-acre depot contains three combined barracks and administration buildings, one administration building, 

nine storage buildings, nine support buildings, seven probable workshops and one vehicle park.

Document V-190. Nemaksciai Petroleum Products Storage Underground, Aukskeliai, Kaliningrad 

Oblast, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, April 1965.

The 60-acre POL storage installation contains 20 vertical POL tanks in two sections and a probable 

underground storage area.

Document V-191. Probable Military Vehicle Park, Gusev, Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, April 1965.

The 20-acre vehicle park contains four vehicle storage buildings, two administration buildings, two combined 

vehicle storage and maintenance buildings and two support buildings.

Document V-192. Vilnius Army Training Area Nemencine, Vilnius, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, April 1965.

The 1,000-acre training area is probably utilized by the unit stationed in the Vilnius Army Barracks East. It 

contains a tank and assault-gun firing range with three runs, a possible ammunition storage area, a possible 

bivouac area and two infantry training areas.

Document V-193. Vilnius Army Ordnance Depot and Petroleum Products Storage, Vilnius, Lithuania, 

USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, April 1965.

The 70-acre road- and rail-served ordnance and POL area contains one probable barracks, two combined 

administrative and barracks buildings, 18 storage buildings, and five combined vehicle maintenance and 

storage buildings. The POL area contains 24 vertical tanks, one probable horizontal tank and seven combined 

support and storage buildings.

Document V-194. Vilnius Army Barracks East, Vilnius, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, April 1965.

This 150-acre barracks and training area contains a large multistory multi-wing training building, five support 

administration buildings, one storage building, two unidentified buildings, one combined vehicle storage and 

maintenance building and two oval tracks. A large track and a small-arms firing range are outside the barracks 

installation.

Document V-195. Telsiai Army Barracks, Telsiai, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, April 1965.

This 65-acre installation contains three combined barracks and administration buildings, 11 storage buildings, 

four support buildings, an unidentified building, three combined vehicle storage and maintenance sheds and a 

possible vehicle park or open storage area. A secured possible ammunition storage area contains three 

buildings. A tracked-vehicle driver-training area is seven km west.

Document V-196. Sovetsk Army Barracks Taurage Southwest, Taurage, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, April 1965.

This 90-acre installation contains 43 buildings, including two administration buildings, 11 barracks, seven 
storage buildings, five possible combined equipment storage and maintenance buildings and 18 support 

buildings.

Document V-197. Explosives Plant and Storage Area, Radviliskis Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, April 1965.

The 360-acre installation contains 39 unrevetted ammunition storage buildings, 17 support buildings and eight 

ammunition fabrication buildings.

Document V-198. Panevezys Munitions Factory and Storage, Panevezys, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, April 1965.

The 65-acre storage area contains 39 non-revetted munitions storage buildings and four storage buildings.

Document V-199. Tallinn Military Barracks and Tallinn Army Barracks Kopli, Tallinn, Estonia, 

USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, April 1965.

The 80-acre Tallinn Military Barracks contains 23 barracks, four administration buildings, 19 storage 

buildings, 27 support buildings and one unidentified building. The 80-acre Tallinn Army barracks Kopli 

contains 22 barracks, two administration buildings, 65 storage buildings, 23 support buildings and two 

unidentified buildings.

Document V-200. Tallinn Army Barracks, Tallinn, Estonia, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, April 1965.

The 660-acre installation contains 92 buildings, including two administration buildings, two combined 

barracks and administration buildings, 24 barracks, 30 storage buildings, 14 combined equipment storage and 

maintenance buildings and 20 support buildings. Other facilities include two housing areas, an athletic field 

and two driver-training areas.

Document V-201. Tallinn Ammunition Depot Nomme South, Tallinn, Estonia, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, April 1965.

The 450-acre depot contains 24 revetted storage buildings, 45 other storage buildings and seven unoccupied 

revetments.

Document V-202. Ammunition Storage Area, Tallinn, Estonia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, April 1965.

The 250-acre secured installation contains two administration buildings, 40 storage buildings and two possible 

open storage sections, one of which contains equipment or vehicles and seven support buildings.

Document V-203. Klaipeda Army Barracks Libauer ST, Klaipeda, Lithuania, USSR, Baltic MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, April 1965.

The 28-acre installation contains 22 buildings, including one administration building, seven barracks, two 

storage buildings, three possible combined equipment storage and maintenance buildings and nine support 

building.

Document V-204. Military Installation, Ventspils, Latvia, USSR, Baltic MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, April 1965.

The 500-acre installation contains two housing and administration areas with a total of 22 combined 

administration and barracks buildings, 22 possible dependent quarters, five storage buildings, seven support 

buildings and a motor pool with three vehicle combined storage and maintenance buildings. The ammunition 

storage area contains four storage buildings, a driver-training course, and an armor range. A POL storage and 
unloading area has two piers and is located immediately southwest of the installation on the shores of the 

Baltic Sea. A major POL storage compound is located northeast of the military installation.

↑ BACK TO CHAPTER 5

KIEV MILITARY DISTRICT

Document V-205. Priluki Ammunition Depot Ichnya SSW, Priluki, Chernigovsk Oblast, USSR, Kiev 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964. 

The 730-acre installation contains a total of 117 buildings, including three administration buildings, five 

barracks, 61 storage buildings, 46 general support buildings and two probable vehicle maintenance buildings.

Document V-206. Ammunition Storage Area, Priluki, Chernigovsk Oblast, USSR, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

The double secured 120-acre ammunition storage area contains one combined administration and barracks 

building, seven storage buildings and eight support buildings.

Document V-207. Chuguyev Army Barracks West, Chuguyev, Kharkov Oblast, USSR, Kiev, MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

This 40-acre installation contains one multistory administrative building, five multistory barracks, 18 general 

storage buildings, two foundations for probable storage buildings, two vehicle sheds and three support 

buildings.

Document V-208. Kharkov Army Barracks West Kharkov Oblast, USR, Kiev MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964. 

The 115-acre installation contains six multistory combined administration and classroom buildings, one 

multistory administration building, 13 multistory barracks, 15 general storage buildings, three bunkered 

explosives storage buildings, 10 quarters, five equipment and vehicle storage sheds, two equipment and 

vehicle maintenance sheds, an open equipment park and 19 support buildings.

Document V-209. Lubny Army Barracks Sula River, Lubny, Poltavsk Oblast, USSR, Kiev, MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

Approximately 6 kms north of the installation is a military training area probably used by the troops housed in 

the barracks area. The 315-acre installation contains three administration buildings, 14 barracks, seven 

quarters, 41 storage buildings, three probable ammunition storage buildings, one vehicle shed, one vehicle 

maintenance building and 20 support buildings.

Document V-210. Training Area And Associated Storage, Baturin, Chernigovsk Oblast, USSR, Kiev 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964. 

The 3,475-acre installation contains 15 storage buildings and one support building. The training facility 

contains two administration buildings one bivouac area, one support building, four combined range control and 

support buildings, one tank and assault-gun firing range, two wheeled-vehicle driver-training areas, one range 

possibly utilized by vehicle-mounted automatic weapons, one possible infantry field training area, strafing 

targets and an impact area.

Document V-211. Belaya Tserkov Army Barracks Artillery, Belaya Tserkov, Kiev Oblast, USSR, Kiev 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

The 75-acre installation contains one administration building, five barracks, 17 storage buildings, 20 support 
buildings, three vehicle maintenance buildings, one vehicle park, an athletic field and a figure-eight wheeledvehicle driver-training course.

Document V-212. Explosives Storage Krivoy Rog, Dnepropetrovsk Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

The 95-acre double-fenced area contains 16 revetted explosives storage buildings, one trans-loading building 

and one support building. One additional general combined storage and support building is located on the rail 

spur leading to the secured area.

Document V-213. Storage area, Nizhin, Chernigorovsk Oblast, USSR, Kiev, MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

The 220-acre installation contains one administration building, 2 barracks, 32 general storage buildings and 15 

support buildings.

Document V-214. Bogdanovka Ammunition Depot Bogdanovka, Kirovgradsk Oblast, USSR, Kiev 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

The 760-acre installation storage portion is secured and contains 45 probable ammunition storage, 14 general 

storage and six support buildings. The unsecured administration, troops housing and support area contains two 

administration buildings, 11 quarters, 4 storage and 28 support buildings.

Document V-215. Kharkov Tank OCS, Kharkov, Kharkov Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

The 80-acre installation contains four multistory barracks, three multistory combined classroom and 

administration buildings, 31 storage buildings, five vehicle sheds and 16 support buildings.

Document V-216. Military Barracks Area, Uman, Cherkasskaya Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

The 85-acre barracks installation contains one administration building, four barracks, seven storage buildings, 

three vehicle storage and maintenance buildings, a probable gymnasium, an athletic field, one support 

building, a small-arms firing range and a wheeled vehicle driver-training course.

Document V-217. Secured Storage Area, Polyava, Poltavskaya Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

The secured 300-acre double-secured storage area and adjacent support area contain a total of 43 buildings: six 

barracks, two administration buildings, 25 storage buildings, nine support buildings and a heating plant. The 

military significance of this installation was not determined.

Document V-218. Secured Storage Area, Kharakov, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, 

NPIC, November 1964.

The double-secured 60-acre double-secured storage area contains 26 general storage building and one support 

building. An unsecured support area immediately north contains one probable administration building, one 

probable barracks and one support building. The military significance of this installation was not determined.

Document V-219. Barracks Area, Glukhov, Sumskaya Oblast, USSR, Kiev, MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

A secured 57-acre barracks area contains one administration building, five barracks, 19 storage buildings, 26 

support buildings, and two motor pools containing nine vehicle maintenance buildings. An associated 105-acre 

training area contains an AAA training site, field artillery training emplacements, two small building and a 

figure-8 wheeled-vehicle driver-training course.
Document V-220. Artemovsk Army Barracks Central, Artemovsk, Stalinskaya Oblast, USSR, Kiev 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

The 175-acre barracks area contains two administration buildings, 16 barracks, 36 storage buildings, 14 

support buildings and a possible athletic field.

Document V-221. Ammunition Storage Area, Chuguyev, Kharkov Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

A wide firebreak between double fences surrounds the 280-acre secured installation. It contains 25 ammunition 

storage buildings and two support buildings. An adjacent support area contains 15 buildings probably utilized 

for administration, personnel billeting and miscellaneous support.

Document V-222. Ammunition Storage Area, Rossoshki, Cherkasskaya Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

The 179 acre-storage area is secured on three sides by a double fence and on the northern side by a single 

fence. It contains 23 ammunition storage buildings. An adjacent support area contains 8 buildings.

Document V-223. Balakleya Ammunition Depot NE and Balakleya Army Barracks NE, Kharkov 

Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

The double-secured 1,150 acre-depot and barracks area contains 48 revetted and 35 unrevetted ammunition 

storage buildings, 10 support buildings, a possible ammunition fabrication facility consisting of six probable 

light fabrication buildings, five road-to-rail transloading buildings and three support buildings. The barracks 

area is possibly secured by a fence. It contains one multistory L-shaped administration building, two large 

multistory U-shaped barracks, three small multistory U-shaped barracks, 13 probable quarters, 27 general 

storage buildings, two possible vehicle sheds, 12 support buildings and 12 possible small vertical POL tanks.

Document V-224. Kirovgrad Army Barracks Kremlin, Kirovograd, Kirovograd Oblast Kiev, MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

The 50-acre barracks area is located within the walls of an old fort. It contains three barracks, two storage 

buildings, seven support buildings, and two possible combined vehicle storage and maintenance buildings.

Document V-225. Oster Army Barracks Vypolzovo, Oster, Chernigovsk Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

The 990-acre installation is probably the main support area for the Oster Maneuver Area Chernigovskiy Leiniy 

immediately north. It contains nine administration buildings, 70 barracks 42 dependents quarters, 26 storage 

buildings, 12 vehicle-sheds, two range control buildings and 67 support buildings. The training facilities 

include two moving-target ranges, one closed circuit wheeled-vehicle driver-training course and two athletic 

fields.

Document V-226. Probable Barrack Area, Kharkov Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, November 1964.

The 15-acre probable barracks area is possible associated with the Kharkov Tank OSC and Kharkov Army 

Barracks West. It contains one multistory administration building, four multistory probable barracks, five 

general storage buildings, one vehicle shed and five support buildings.

Document V-227. Military Training Area, Belaya Tserkov, Kiev, Kiev MD, USSR, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 5,370 acre training area contains a combination barracks-administration building, three probable troop 

quarters, seven storage buildings, 14 fire control towers, six support buildings, three tank and assault-gun 

firing ranges, a probable vehicle-mounted automatic-weapons firing range, a small-arms firing range, a 
probable vehicle-mounted automatic-weapons firing range, a small arms firing range, closed circuit trackedvehicle driver-training course, a closed -circuit wheeled-vehicle driver-training course and an infantry field 

training area.

Document V-228. Kremenchur Ammunition Depot Northwest Kremenchur, Poltavskaya Oblast, 

USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 205-acre secured installation contains a probable administration building, 12 probable ammunition-storage 

buildings, three quarters, five storage buildings and a transloading building.

Document V-229. Probable Ordnance Depot, Nezhin Chernigovskaya Oblast, Kiev MD, USSR, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

This 325-acre double-secured probable ordnance depot contains 18 ammunition storage buildings, 23 general 

storage buildings, one monitor-roofed building probably used for repair and maintenance of vehicles and 

equipment, nine support buildings and two probable inactive small-arms firing ranges. There are numerous 

groups of probable vehicles and equipment in open storage throughout the depot. An associated administrative 

support facility adjoins the depot. It contains two multistory barracks, one multistory probable administrative 

building, one T-shaped probable mess hall, eight support buildings, one probable inactive small-arms firing 

range and a water tower.

Document V-230. Konotop Army Barracks, Konotop, Sumskaya Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 255-acre secured installation contains two administration buildings, three large multistory barracks, 32 

large storage buildings, 35 support buildings, one small-arm firing range, two motor pools each containing two 

vehicle maintenance buildings and a possibly associated athletic field.

Document V-231. Storage Area, Chuguyev, Kharakov Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 50-acre double secured installation contains general storage buildings and foundations for three additional 

buildings.

Document V-232. Ammunition Storage Area, Dnepropetrovsk, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 57-acre installation contains 11 ammunition storage buildings, two storage buildings and one support 

building.

Document V-233. Probable Explosives Storage Area, Volchansk, Kharkov, USSR, Kiev MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 20-acre installation contains ten storage buildings and one support building. The PI judges that the 

isolation of the installation and the dispersal of the buildings indicate it probable has an explosives storage 

function.

Document V-234. Lugansk Army Barracks Northwest and Lugansk Ordnance Park Northwest, 

Lugansk, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

There is a probably associated flat-trajectory firing range located 6 km from this barracks installation. The 190-

acre installation contains three administration buildings, 14 barracks, 18 quarters, 49 storage building, 36 

support buildings, five semi-buried probable POL tanks, a motor park, a vehicle shed, two vehicle maintenance 

and storage buildings, and a small-arms firing range. The large number of storage buildings indicates a storage 

function as well as troop housing. Two km north and connected by a direct access road is a probable associated 

secured storage area containing four storage buildings and two support buildings. Four km north, also 
connected by a direct access road, is a probable associated ammunition storage area containing seven 

unrevetted ammunition storage buildings and a support building. The 100-acre ordnance park northwest 

contains four large revetted ammunition storage buildings and three support buildings.

Document V-235. Dnepropetrovsk Army Barracks, Dnepropetrovsk Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 67-acre installation contains one administration building, four barracks, 11 storage buildings, six support 

buildings, one vehicle maintenance building, five vehicle storage sheds and a vehicle park.

Document-V-236. Dnepropetrovsk Army Barracks Central, Dnepropetrovsk Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 50-acre barracks is located in the city. It contains three administration buildings, four barracks, 14 storage 

buildings, six support buildings, three vehicle maintenance buildings, five vehicle storage sheds and a vehicle

park.

Document V-237. Kiev Ordnance Depot Stalinka East, Kiev Oblast, USSR Kiev, MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, December 1964.

This 80 acre secured installation contains six probable explosives storage buildings and two support building. 

It is located in an old earthen fort; the walls serve as revetments for the buildings.

Document V-238. Bakhmach Petroleum Storage, Bakhmach, Chernigoskaya Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

This 135 acre, possibly secured, installation contains 14 medium POL tanks, two small POL tanks, a storage 

facility for small horizontal tanks or POL drums, five low or partially buried buildings for an undetermined 

type of storage, two open storage areas, a general storage building, an administration building, a possible 

barracks and nine support buildings.

Document V-239. Zolotonosha Army Barracks, Zolotonosha, Cherkassakaya Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The eight-acre installation contains two combination barracks and administration buildings, four barracks, five 

support buildings, nine storage buildings, two combined support and storage buildings and two vehicle 

maintenance buildings.

Document V-240. Kiev Army Barracks, Kiev, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, 

December 1964.

The 58-acre installation contains combined administration and classroom buildings, four multistory barracks, 

three probable combined officer and dependents quarters, seven storage buildings, two vehicle sheds, one 

combined vehicle storage and maintenance shed, two equipment storage sheds, one large hanger-type building 

and sixteen support building. Training facilities include small arms firing range, an athletic field, and a special 

training facility.

Document V-241. Kiev Ordnance Depot West, Kiev, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 18-acre depot consists of one administration building, one barracks, one combined vehicle maintenance 

and storage building, six combined vehicle and equipment storage buildings and 12 combined support and 

storage buildings.

Document V-242. Kommunarsk Army Barracks East, Kommunarsk, Lugansksya Oblast, USSR, Kiev 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.
This 45-are secured installation contains one combined barracks and administration building, three vehicle 

sheds, five storage buildings and 13 support buildings.

Document V-243. Barracks Area, Chuguyev, Kharkov Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 45-acre barracks area contains two multistory administration buildings, three barracks, one multistory 

barracks, nine storage buildings, two probable storage buildings under construction, 12 support buildings and a 

small-arms firing range.

Document V-244. Barracks Area, Utkovka, Kharkov Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 185-acre installation contains two administrations buildings, five barracks, four storage buildings, five 

vehicle sheds, one vehicle maintenance building, nine support buildings, one possible buried POL storage tank, 

an athletic field, a small-arms firing range and an infantry field training area.

Document V-245. Chuguyev Army Barracks SE, Chuguyev, Kharkov Oblast USSR, Kiev MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 300-acre installation contains one administration building, two probable administration buildings, 10 

barracks, six storage buildings, 13 vehicle sheds, one possible vehicle shed, one vehicle maintenance building, 

two possible vehicle parks, 25 support buildings, approximately 20 small horizontal probable POL tanks, three 

small arms firing ranges and an athletic field.

Document V-246. Kegichevka Ordnance Depot Territorium, Kegichevka, Kharkov Oblast, USSR, 

Kiev MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

This double-secured, 250-acre storage area contains 54 storage buildings, four earth-mounded drive-through 

buildings, eight support buildings and two fuel storage tanks. The secured support area is adjacent to the NE 

end of the storage area and contains a multistory administration building, three multistory barracks, eight 

probable quarters, 24 support buildings, a fenced motor pool with two vehicle sheds and a secured earthcovered building.

Document V-247. Chuguyev Barracks North, Chuguyev, Kharkov Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The approximately 40-acre installation contains a combined classroom and administration building, nine 

barracks, six storage buildings, a motor park, and 27 support buildings. There is a small, probably abandoned 

small arms firing range located northeast of the installation.

Document V-248. Kremenchug Army Barracks Lenina, Kremenchug, Cherkassakaya Oblast, USSR, 

Kiev MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 340-acre installation contains three administration buildings, 10 combined officer and dependents 

quarters, three equipment storage buildings, nine barracks, three probable barracks, four storage buildings, five 

combined support and storage buildings, one probable vehicle maintenance building, two ammunition storage 

buildings, seven combined ammunition storage buildings and bunkers and a probable motor park. Training 

facilities include two small-arms firing ranges, an athletic field, a probable wheeled-vehicle driver-training 

course, and a probable infantry or combined-arms training area.

Document V-249. Lozovaya Ammunition Depot Railroad Station Northeast Lozovaya, Kharovskaya 

Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 490-acre installation contains 37 ammunition storage buildings, three earth-mounded probable drive-in 

buildings, one drive-through revetted building, and 14 combined support and storage buildings. A support area 
contains three probable combined administration and barracks buildings, and 15 combined support and storage 

buildings.

Document V-250. Storage Depots, Cherkassy, USSR, Kiev, MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, 

NPIC, December 1964.

There are three ammunition storage depots in the area. They are Cherkassy Ammunition Depot No. 2, 

Debiyevka; Cherkassy Ammunition Dump No. 3, Debiyevka; and Cherkassy Ammunition Depot India PUG. 

The proximity of the warehouse-type buildings to each other in the latter depot suggests a general storage 

rather than ammunition storage function as reported elsewhere. The three installations cover 350 acres and 

contain three administration buildings, 10 barracks, 22 support buildings, 22 storage buildings, at least 26 

probable ammunition storage buildings and 2 probable athletic fields.

Document V-251. Probable Military Depot, Fastov, Kiev Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

This probable 60-acre secured military depot contains two administration buildings, four barracks, six storage 

buildings, two vehicle maintenance buildings, three vehicle parks, an open storage area, two small-arms firing 

ranges, a probable drill field, a probable water tower, two probably buried POL tanks and 20 support buildings.

Document V-252. Krivoy Rog Army Barracks, Krivoy Rog, Dnepropetrovsk Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 75-acre barracks area contains one administrative building, two administration-type buildings, three 

barracks, a vehicle shed, two motor parks, four storage buildings and 19 support buildings.

Document V-253. Belaya Tserkov Army Barracks NW and Associated Storage Area, Belaya Tserkov, 

Kiev Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 280-acre barracks area contains one administration building, four barracks, two probable vehicle 

maintenance-sheds, 33 storage buildings, 14 support buildings, two small-arms firing ranges, an athletic field 

and a figure-8 wheeled-vehicle driver-training course. The 230-acre doubled secured associated storage area 

contains 33 storage buildings and nine support buildings. The large number of storage buildings and the 

separate security measures consisting of double fences suggests it has a separate and primary function of a 

storage depot.

Document V-254. Ammunition Storage Area Chernigov, Chernigov Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 207-acre probably secured ammunition storage area contains 26 ammunition storage buildings, two 

barracks, one combined administration and barracks building, 10 support buildings, one small-arms firing 

range and an athletic field.

Document V-255. Novomoskovsk AAA Barracks North, Novomoskovsk, Dnepropetrovsk Oblast, 

USSR, Kiev, MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 65-acre installation contains one administration building, two barracks, one vehicle park, one vehicle 

maintenance building, one vehicle maintenance-storage shed, 17 storage buildings, eight support buildings and 

one athletic field.

Document V-256. Shostka Army Barracks, Shostka, Sumskaya Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

This 70-acre security installation contains two administration buildings, eight barracks, three storage buildings, 

21 support buildings, a motor pool containing a vehicle maintenance building and an athletic field.
Document V-257. Piryatin Army Barracks, Piryatin, Poltavakaya Oblast, USSR, Kiev, MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 50-acre installation contains one combined administration and barracks, three multistory barracks, two 

maintenance buildings, five vehicle maintenance buildings, six support buildings, nine storage buildings, 17 

combined support and storage buildings and a small-arms range.

Document V-258. Selected Military Installations, Kiev, USSR, Kiev, MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, December 1964.

The 110-acre Kiev School of Self-Propelled Weapons contains two administration buildings, 10 barracks, three 

probable officers quarters, seven vehicle storage buildings, one vehicle maintenance building, 10 storage 

buildings, 14 support buildings, an athletic field, a probable auditorium, a steam plant a motor pool and an 

open storage area. The 16-acre probable armored and artillery barracks located just north of the school contains 

8 multistory combined barracks and administration buildings and an athletic field. The 26-acre probable 

artillery barracks contains 3 administration buildings, 10 barracks, one probable officer's quarters and 13 

combined support and storage buildings.

Document V-259. Kiev Signals OCS Dorogozhitsk, Kiev, Kiev MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, 

NPIC, January 1965.

The 35-acre installation contains a large multi-wing combined administration and school building, one 

multistory barracks, two probable vehicle sheds, a motor pool area, four probable maintenance buildings, five 

storage buildings, one support building and an athletic field.

Document V-260. Probable Ammunition Storage Area, Lubny, Poltavsk Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, January 1965.

The 250-acre installation contains 48 probable ammunition storage buildings, seven support buildings and two 

small-arms firing ranges.

Document V-261. Volnoye Army Barracks Samara River East, Volnoye, Dnepropetrovsk Oblast, 

USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, January 1965.

The 560-acre barracks contains three administration buildings, 16 barracks, approximately 100 officers and 

dependents quarters, nine storage buildings, 50 support buildings, 17 vehicle sheds, two athletic fields, two 

small-arms firing ranges, and three areas similar to subcaliber-weapons firing ranges.

Document V-262. Kiev Army Barracks Gorenichi and Kiev Training Area Gorenichi, Kiev, USSR, 

Kiev Oblast, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, January 1965.

The 1,300-acre associated installations include a closed-circuit tracked-vehicle driver-training area, a closedcircuit, probable tracked-vehicle driver-training area, a closed circuit wheeled-vehicle driving-training area, a 

multistory probable administration building, two multistory probable barracks, and six support buildings, a 

vehicle shed, a vehicle maintenance building and a small arms firing range.

Document V-263. Military Training Area, Slavyanoserbsk, Lugansk Oblast USSR, Kiev MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, January 1965.

This 12,800-acre installation contains six administration buildings, 32 combined barracks and quarters, 17 

support buildings, six vehicle sheds, a probable vehicle maintenance building, and five unidentified buildings, 

one of which is secured. Training facilities include an athletic field, two small arms firing ranges, two trackedvehicle driver-training courses, four tank and assault-gun firing ranges with eight support buildings, a 

combined arms field training area and two probable vehicle-mounted automatic-weapons firing ranges.
Document V-264. Military Training Area, Krivoy Rog, Dnepropetrovsk Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, January 1965.

A barracks and bivouac area immediately northeast of the training area provides administrative, billeting and 

other support. The 11,900 acre training area contains one tracked-vehicle driver-training area, seven tank and 

assault-gun firing ranges, 17 range control and support buildings, a combined-arms field training area, a 

possible six-gun field artillery battery, a double-secured storage area with 25 storage buildings and 

approximately nine support buildings.

Document V-265. Selected Military Installation, Kiev, Kiev Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, January 1965.

There are four military installations located in the center of Kiev: Kiev Headquarter, Kiev Military District, 

Kiev Army Barracks First of May, Kiev Army School First of May and a probable Soviet Air Force aviation 

school.

o The 120-acre Kiev Headquarters Kiev Military District contains three administration buildings, a 

combined school and administration building, 12 barracks, seven storage buildings, 16 support 

buildings, three small-arms firing ranges and a vehicle park with two vehicle sheds, two vehicle 

storage and maintenance buildings and five support buildings. A separately secured support area 

contains nine support buildings and an athletic field. 

o The 48-acre Kiev Amy Barracks First of May contains a combined school and administration 

building, two administration buildings, 12 barracks; 16 support buildings and a secured vehicle park 

with a vehicle shed and a support building. 

o The 140-acre Kiev Army School First of May contains two combined school and administration 

buildings, three administration buildings, seven barracks, two storage buildings, 34 support buildings, 

two athletic fields, and a secured vehicle park with a vehicle shed and two vehicle storage and 

maintenance buildings. 

o The 120-acre probable Soviet Air Force aviation school contains three combined school and 

administration buildings, three administration buildings, seven barracks, five storage buildings, 16 

support buildings, an athletic field, a vehicle park with three vehicle sheds, a vehicle maintenance 

building and three support buildings. 

Document V-266. Zheved Army Barracks Chernigov Southwest, Chernigov, Chernigovsk Oblast, 

USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, January 1965.

The 775-acre Barracks installation provides billeting, administrative and other support for the Chernigov 

Training Area. It contains two administration buildings, 25 barracks, approximately 36 dependents quarters, 

twelve vehicle-sheds, two high-bay vehicle maintenance buildings, 15 storage buildings and 45 support 

buildings.

Document V-267. Barracks and Bivouac Area, Krivoy Rog, Dnepropetrovsk Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, January 1965.

The 1,155-acre installation is eight km west of Krivoy Rog and provides administrative, billeting and other 

support for a large training area located immediately south. It contains two administration buildings, thirty 

probable barracks, 19 barracks-type buildings, 17 storage buildings, 49 support buildings, 12 vehicle sheds, 

three equipment storage and maintenance buildings, seven possible ammunition storage buildings, an athletic 

field, one ammunition storage building, an athletic field, and one probably abandoned AAA battery. A bivouac 

area with 24 permanent buildings including two administration buildings, one storage building, 21 support 

building and extensive tent areas served by an elaborate network of roads.

Document V-268. Cherkassy Training Area West, Cherkasskaya Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, January 1965.
The 1,900-acre training area contains five tank and assault-gun firing ranges, two driver-training courses, a 

probable small-arms firing range, six range control buildings and four range support buildings.

Document V-269. Vypolzov Maneuver Area Kiev North-Northeast, Vypolzov, Chernigovsk Oblast, 

USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, January 1965.

The 52,000-acre maneuver area contains a possible tent camp, five tank and assault-gun ranges, a probable 

tank and assault-gun range under construction, five driver-training areas, one infantry field training area, a 

range probably for vehicle-mounted automatic weapons, an area for artillery training, a secured storage area, 

two unidentified areas, and two probable impact areas.

Document V-270. Belaya Tserkov Army Barracks Ross, Belaya Tserkov, Kiev Oblast, USSR, Kiev 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, January 1965.

The 56-acre installation contains one administration building, six barracks, 24 storage buildings, 12 support 

buildings, two vehicle maintenance buildings, a vehicle park, an athletic field and a probable small-arms firing 

range.

Document V-271. Selected Military Installations, Cherkassy, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The report describes two military barracks areas: Cherkassy Army Barracks North and Cherkassy Army 

Barracks South and possibly a storage installation on the western edge of Cherkassy.

o The 100-acre Cherkassy Army Barracks North contains three administration barracks, 16 barracks, 26 

support buildings, an athletic field and a parade ground. 

o The 465-acre Cherkassy Army Barracks South contains three probable administration buildings, three 

barracks, ten probable barracks, 69 probable quarters, 27 support buildings, 47 storage buildings, three 

possible ammunition storage bunkers, a motor park, four vehicle sheds, and a small arms firing range, 

a driver-training course and an athletic field. 

o The 135-acre secured possibly associated storage area contains 19 storage buildings, 12 possible POL 

tanks and nine support building. 

Document V-272. Volnoye Training Area, Samara River Bend, Volnoye, Dnepropetrovsk Oblast, 

USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

Two barracks areas, both at its western boundary, support the maneuver area. The 55,910-acre maneuver area 

contains three driver-training courses: 1 tracked-vehicle training course; one wheeled-vehicle training course; 

one tracked and wheeled-vehicle training course. There are one field training area [possibly combined arms], 

12 moving-target tank and assault-gun firing ranges, two bivouac areas, two secured storage areas, three 

probable small arms firing ranges, one athletic field and 20 miscellaneous support buildings.

Document V-273. Chuguyev Training Area Southeast, Chuguyev, Kharkov Oblast, USSR, Kiev MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 12,500-acre training area contains a bivouac area with eight combined administrative and support 

buildings, 40 support buildings, a vehicle park, four small-arms firing ranges, a tracked-vehicle driver-training 

area, a tracked-vehicle driver-training area, seven tank and assault-gun firing ranges with 23 range support 

buildings, 31 firing lanes, 29 moving target runs, and two possible infantry training areas. Chuguyev Army 

Barracks Southeast and a second barracks area four km south of Chuguyev provide administration, billeting 

and other support for this training area.

Document V-274. Training Area, Kharkov, USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, 

February 1965.

The 1,000-acre training facility contains a tracked-vehicle driver-training course with a series of personnel 
trenches scattered throughout the area and one administration building. The barracks area contains one 

multistory administration building, six barracks and six support buildings. Training appears to be limited to 

driver training and infantry-type training.

Document V-275. Chernigov Training Area Kiev North-Northeast, Chernigov, Chernigov Oblast, 

USSR, Kiev MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, February 1965.

The 34,200 acre training area contains five tank and assault-gun ranges, three wheeled-vehicle driver-training 

courses, one tracked-vehicle driver-training area, two combined-arms ranges, one small-arms range, 15 field 

gun batteries, one AAA battery, two probable impact areas, three unidentified ground scars or facilities, a 

possible tent camp, two secured ammunition storage areas, 10 range control buildings, two unidentified 

structures and at least seven support buildings. The Zheved Army Barracks Chernigov Southwest provides 

housing and support facilities.

↑ BACK TO CHAPTER 5

BELORUSSIA MILITARY DISTRICT

Document V-276. POL Storage Area Lida, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, 

NPIC, May 1964.

The 11-acre installation contains 15 vertical POL storage tanks and four small associated buildings. The Lida 

Army barracks is located 4 km NW.

Document V-277. Myshanka Army Barracks, Myshanka, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 580-acre installation contains four administration buildings, ten barracks, 41 officer and dependents 

quarters, 25 storage buildings, 54 storage buildings, and ten equipment and vehicle maintenance buildings. It 

also contains a possible small-arms firing range.

Document V-278. Novogrudok Barracks Area, Novogrudok, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 75-acre installation contains two administration buildings, five barracks, 15 storage buildings, 13 support 

buildings, five vehicle sheds, an athletic field and a small-arms firing range.

Document V-279. Orsha Petroleum Storage Reserve, Orsha, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

This 125-acre secured installation contains 20 large and 27 small vertical POL storage tanks, and 22 large open 

pits, 14 of which contain 137 pod-type horizontal storage tanks. Support facilities in the installation include 

three administration buildings, eight storage buildings, 21 support buildings and five pump houses.

Document V-280. Osipovichi Army Barracks Lapichi, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 205-acre installation includes three administrative buildings, eight barracks, twelve storage buildings, one 

vehicle shed and 42 support buildings. The installation also includes an unsecured storage area with three 

revetted buildings. Training facilities include a small-arms range and two athletic fields.

Document V-281. Osipovichi Army Barracks Tsel, Lapichi, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 70-acre installation includes one administration building, four barracks, 11 storage buildings and 11

support buildings. [See also V-35 for another report on this installation.]
Document V-282. Ostroshitskiy Gorodok Barracks Area, Ostroshitskiy Gorodok, USSR, Belorussia 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 350-acre area contains six administration buildings, four barracks, five storage buildings, 18 support 

buildings, two vehicle-sheds, a communications tower, a probable swimming pool and an athletic field. 

Training facilities include a small-arms firing range and a wheeled-vehicle driver training course.

Document V-283. Pauliovo Storage Area, Paulinovo, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The installation includes a separately secured storage area and a support installation. The 115-acre storage area 

contains 12 storage buildings and two support buildings. The 90-acre support area contains one administration 

building, one barracks, two vehicle sheds and 45 small support buildings.

Document V-284. Vitebsk Army Barracks Southwest, Vitebsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 140-acre installation contains one administration building, four barracks, seven storage and 18 small 

support buildings and one small arms firing range.

Document V-285. Vetrino Army Barracks, Polotsk Southwest, Vetrino, USSR, Belorussia MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 200-acre installation contains five barracks, 10 small storage buildings, 13 support buildings and two 

motor pools with 12 vehicle sheds. Training facilities include one wheeled-vehicle driver-training course and 

one athletic field.

Document V-286. Baranovichi Army Barracks SW, Baranovichi, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 250-acre installation includes two administration buildings, 10 barracks, 67 storage buildings, two revetted 

storage buildings, 28 support buildings, 21 vehicle storage and maintenance buildings, one small-arms firing 

range and a drill field.

Document V-287. Baranovichi Army Barracks East, Baranovichi, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 700-acre installation includes seven administration buildings, 49 barracks, 115 storage buildings, 51 

support buildings, two equipment storage and maintenance buildings, 25 vehicle sheds, two athletic fields and 

two small-arms firing ranges.

Document V-288. Baranovichi Air Depot Long Range, Lesnaya, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

A 160-foot wide firebreak encloses the 350-acre secured installation. There is a double secured inner area. The 

inner area contains 25 storage buildings and an open probable vehicle park. The outer area contains one 

administration building and 11 support buildings.

Document V-289. Baranovichi Petroleum Storage, Air Force Reserve, Baranovichi, USSR, Belorussia 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The installation has two areas. The 160-acre larger area is secured and contains 23 vertical earth-covered POL 

tanks and 14 support buildings. The 18-acre smaller area contains 11 vertical POL tanks and four support 

buildings. A probable double pipeline connects the larger area with the Baranovichi Airfield.

Document V-290. Military Barracks, Bereza, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, 

NPIC, May 1964.
The 80-acre installation contains one administration building, three barracks, seven storage buildings, seven

support buildings, eight motor vehicle sheds with five associated support buildings, an athletic field, a water 

tower and a possible small-arms range.

Document V-291. Bereza Ammunition Depot, Bronnaya Gora, Bronnaya Gora, USSR, Belorussian 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The secured by double and triple fencing 770-acre installation contains 49 ammunition storage buildings, one 

bunkered building, one high-bay building and one support building. The support area immediately outside the 

secured installation contains two administration buildings, six barracks, 14 storage buildings, 14 support 

buildings, an athletic field, a possible water tank and a parade ground.

Document V-292. Borisov Supply Depot and POL Storage Area, Borisov, USSR, Belorussia MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 15-acre secured POL storage area has one administration building, two storage buildings and 20 vertical 

POL storage tanks. The 85-acre support area has 50 storage buildings.

Document V-293. Borisov Army Barracks Novosady, Novosady, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 17-acre secured area of the installation contains four administration buildings, eight barracks, 17 support 

buildings and two storage buildings. A four-acre area outside the secured area contains one administration 

building, nine barracks and five support buildings. A possibly associated storage area containing seven storage 

buildings is just east of the main installation.

Document V-294. Borisov Army Barracks, Borisov, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 70-acre installation contains two administration buildings, seven barracks, 10 storage buildings, 19 

support buildings, two vehicle parks, two vehicle sheds and one maintenance building.

Document V-295. Selected Storage Installations, Bobruysk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The installations covered in this report are Bobruysk Petroleum Storage West, Bobruysk Petroleum storage 

PUG and Bobruysk Army Depot Northwest. The secured 12-acre Bobruysk Petroleum Storage West has 12 

POL storage tanks, one administration building and three small support buildings.

o The secured 48-acre Bobruysk Petroleum Storage PUG contains at least 2 buried POL storage tanks, 

two storage buildings and four support buildings. 

o The secured 43-acre Army Depot Northwest contains 18 storage buildings and five support buildings. 

Document V-296. Gomel Army Barracks Khutoi and Associated Storage Area, Gomel, USSR, 

Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 130-acre installation contains both a barracks area and a secured storage area. The barracks area contains 

one administration building, five barracks, four possible barracks and eight support buildings. It probably has a 

support function for the storage facility rather than for the Army Barracks. The storage area is secured on three 

sides with a fence and a firebreak. It contains 20 storage buildings. Four nearby unidentified buildings are 

possibly associated with the installation.

Document V-297. Gomel Army Barracks Novo-Belitsa, Gomel, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.
The 218-acre installation contains one administration building, nine barracks, five storage buildings, 22 

support buildings, a small-arms firing range and an athletic field.

Document V-298. Grodno Ammunition Depot Kelbasin SW, Grodno, USSR, Belorussia MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 30-acre installation is double-secured on three sides and undetermined security on the fourth side. It 

contains seven storage buildings, eight revetted ammunition storage buildings and three support buildings.

Document V-299. Grodno Army Barracks Kelbasin, Grodno, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 600-acre installation includes five administration building, 14 barracks, 58 storage buildings, 22 support 

buildings, and five vehicle parks containing 11 vehicle sheds, three maintenance buildings, and four equipment 

storage buildings. The installation also includes two revetted ammunition storage buildings, one athletic field, 

five small-arms firing ranges, a wheeled-vehicle driver-training course, and a probable communications station 

containing three buildings. A 500-acre training area three km south of the Army Barracks contains three 

wheeled-vehicle driver-training courses and a possible tank firing range with two target runs.

Document V-300. Storage Area, Grodno, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, 

NPIC, May 1964.

The 125-acre installation has seven storage buildings and three support buildings. Two small figure-8 drivertraining courses appear to be lightly used.

Document V-301. Ammunition Storage Area Lesnaya North, Lesnaya, USSR, Belorussia MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 70-acre installation secured by a fence and a perimeter firebreak contains seven probable explosives 

storage buildings.

Document V-302. Minsk Ammunition Depot Southeast, Minsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 380-acre installation contains an ammunition depot and separate storage area. A fence and a wide 

firebreak secure the ammunition depot. It contains 28 unrevetted ammunition storage buildings, two probable 

rail-to-road trans-loading buildings and nine support buildings. The support area is outside the secured area. It 

has one administration building, two-administration-type buildings, seven multistory barracks, 11 storage 

buildings and 12 support buildings.

Document V-303. Kalinkovichi Army Barracks, Mozyr, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 570-acre installation includes one administration building, seven multistory barracks, 29 storage buildings, 

three vehicle sheds, three vehicle maintenance buildings and 43 support buildings. A secured ammunition 

storage area contains five unrevetted buildings and a secured probable communications site containing a tower 

and two support buildings. Training facilities include a wheeled-vehicle driver training area and a small-arms 

firing range.

Document V-304. Storage Area, Krichev, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, 

NPIC, May 1964.

The 35-acre storage area contains 22 storage buildings, one storage building under construction and five 

support buildings. A support area located outside the secured area contains 11 buildings.
Document V-305. POL Storage Area, Pinsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, 

NPIC, May 1964.

The secured 27-acre POL storage area contains 11 vertical tanks and two rows of probable horizontal tanks.

Document V-306. Storage Area, Polotsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, 

NPIC, May 1964.

The 22-acre secured installation contains nine storage buildings and one administration building.

Document V-307. Military Storage Area, Polotsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The secured 70-acre storage area contains one administration building, one barracks, 14 storage buildings and 

11 support buildings.

Document V-308. Slonim Army Barracks and Headquarters, 8th Tank Division, Slonim, USSR, 

Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 1,450-acre installation includes eight administration buildings, 23 barracks, three storage buildings, nine 

support buildings, four equipment storage and maintenance areas containing 26 vehicle sheds, 21 maintenance 

buildings and six support buildings. The ammunition storage area contains six unrevetted buildings and an 

athletic field. Training facilities include three small-arms ranges and a probable tracked-vehicle driver-training 

course.

Document V-309. Shchuchin Army Barracks, Shchuchin, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The 375-acre installation contains three administration buildings, 20 barracks, 13 storage buildings, 46 support 

buildings, 51 officer and dependent quarters and three vehicle parks containing six vehicle sheds and eight 

maintenance buildings. There are two athletic fields and a probable wheeled-vehicle driver-training course.

Document V-310. Ammunition Storage Area, Vyshkov, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1964.

The double-fence secured 720-acre installation contains 39 unrevetted ammunition storage buildings. A 

support area located outside the main entrance contains six barracks and two administration buildings. Heavy 

foliage precluded identifying additional buildings.

Document V-311. POL Storage Area, Yelsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, 

NPIC, May 1964.

The 140-acre installation contains 10 large vertical POL storage tanks in an 22-acre diked area, 20 associated 

support-type buildings, one possible water tower, an unidentified object and numerous small sheds.

Document V-312. Minsk Army Barracks Uruchye, Minsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

This 2,200-acre barracks installation is located 11 km northeast of Minsk. It includes 15 administration 

buildings, 52 barracks, 92 storage buildings, 64 support buildings, 65 probable dependent quarters, a secured 

transformer substation with a control building, five equipment storage and maintenance areas containing 21 

vehicle storage and maintenance buildings and eight vehicle parks. Training facilities within the installation 

include a wheeled-vehicle driver training area, nine small-arms firing ranges and three athletic fields. [Also see 

Document V-404 for another report on this installation.]

Document V-313. Minsk Army Supply Depot and Barracks, Minsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.
The 250-acre installation includes 16 administration buildings, 33 barracks, 98 storage buildings, 29 support 

buildings, a secured combined equipment storage and maintenance area with six combined vehicle storage and 

maintenance buildings, and one motor park. A double fence secures the west central portion of the installation.

Document V-314. Minsk Barracks and Artillery OCS, Minsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The barracks is located on the northeast outskirts of Minsk. The 70-acre main area is probably secured. It 

includes three administration buildings, one combined barracks and administration building, four barracks, 

four storage buildings, 22 support buildings, six combined equipment storage and maintenance buildings, a 

driver training area and a small arms range. A 200-acre open area possibly associated with the main area 

contains six small-unidentified secured areas and eleven small support buildings. A possible dependents 

housing area with 17 buildings is located east of the installation.

Document V-315. Minsk Supply Depot East, Minsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The depot is located in the central section of Minsk. The 36-acre installation includes two administration 

buildings, seven barracks, ten storage buildings, two-vehicle storage and maintenance buildings and nine

support buildings.

Document V-316. Selected Military Installations, Minsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The report describes two military installations located in the center of Minsk. One appears to be Headquarters 

Belorussian Military District. It is a secured 9-acre installation containing one large, E-shaped, multistory 

administration building and a parking area. The 12-acre second installation includes two administration 

buildings, three barracks, four support buildings and one storage building.

Document V-317. Minsk Barracks Kalinina, Minsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, June 1964.

This 800-acre installation contains four administration buildings, ten barracks, 19 storage buildings, 21 support 

buildings, 20 probable dependents quarters, a tent camp area and eight equipment storage and maintenance 

buildings of which two are located in a secured motor park area. Training facilities within the area include an 

athletic field, a wheeled-vehicle drive-training course and a small-arms firing range. [See also Document V404 for another report on this installation.]

Document V-318. Minsk Ammunition Depot Kanyuchitsy, Minsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 220-acre installation has a double-fenced storage area and a support area. The storage area contains 17 

ammunition storage buildings. The support area contains one administration building, six probable barracks 

and two support buildings. Two buildings, possibly associated with the ammunition storage area are located 

adjacent to a scarred clearing in a wooded area south of the ammunition storage areas. A secured storage area 

0.7 km southwest surrounded by a firebreak contains four storage buildings. The security, firebreak and 

dispersion of the buildings indicate it is a possible explosive storage.

Document V-319. Minsk Army Barracks Northwest, Minsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 300-acre barracks contains five administration buildings, 22 barracks, six storage buildings, 42 support 

buildings, and seven vehicle storage and maintenance buildings. Eight possible storage buildings are located in 

a heavily scarred new construction area on the west side of the installation. There is also an athletic field and a 

small-arms firing range.
Document V-320. Krupki Army Barracks, Krupki, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 1,240-acre installation is probably secured. It contains two administration buildings, 17 barracks, 11 

support buildings, four storage buildings, seven vehicle sheds, one vehicle park, and three cleared strips in 

wooded areas probably utilized as tent areas. The tent areas probably provide temporary billeting for additional 

troops during the summer months training period.

Document V-321. Lepel Army Barracks Northeast, Lepel, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 250-acre installation contains one administration building, one combined administration and barracks 

building, three barracks, eight storage buildings and 12 support buildings. Training facilities include one small 

arms firing range and a wheeled-vehicle driver training course.

Document V-322. Lida Army Barracks Northeast, Lida, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 1,400-acre installation includes three administration buildings, 21 barracks, 51 storage buildings, 38 

support buildings, and 68 officer and dependent quarters. Two vehicle or equipment parks contain a total of 18 

associated storage and maintenance buildings. There are three secured ammunition storage areas. One contains 

12 revetted buildings, and the other two contain 15 unrevetted buildings and an athletic field. Training 

facilities within the installation include three small arms ranges, a probable tracked-vehicle driver-training 

course and a tracked-vehicle firing range. There is a SAM site and an unoccupied AAA site within the general 

area.

Document V-323. Mogilev Petroleum Storage Area, Mogilev, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 15-acre installation is located within the Mogilev city limits. It contains five POL tanks and 12 small 

support buildings.

Document V-324. Molodechno Petroleum Storage, Molodechno, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 50-acre secured installation contains four probable storage buildings, five buried POL storage tanks and 

two buried probable POL storage tanks.

Document V-325. Osipovichi Ammunition Depot Yasen Northwest, Osipovichi, USSR, Belorussia MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The double-fenced secured 440-acre ammunition storage area contains eleven ammunition storage buildings, 

three possible explosives storage buildings, a foundation for an additional possible explosive storage building, 

and eight support buildings. The support area contains one administration building, eight barracks, four storage 

buildings, one vehicle shed, 29 support buildings and a small-arms firing range.

Document V-326. Osipovichi Army Barracks Northeast, Osipovichi, USSR, Belorussia MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 195-acre installation contains one barracks and administration building, six barracks, seven storage 

buildings. 18 vehicle-sheds, 11 support buildings, two vehicle parks, two troop obstacle courses and two smallarms firing ranges.

Document V-327. Osipovichi Army Barracks South, Osipovichi, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 300-acre installation includes one administration building, 23 single-story and seven multistory barracks, 
six storage buildings, 17 support buildings, four vehicle parks, eight vehicle sheds, three troop obstacle 

courses, five small-arms firing ranges, an athletic field and one probable tower.

Document V-328. Osipovichi Petroleum Storage, Osipovichi, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 90-acre installation includes three areas: a probable secured POL storage area containing 44 POL storage 

tanks; a support area containing one storage building and four small support buildings; and an associated 

barracks area containing six multistory barracks and three small support buildings.

Document V-329. Barracks Areas, Oshmyany, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 70-acre installation contains one barracks, three probable officers' quarters, seven storage buildings, three 

support buildings, four vehicle sheds, one maintenance building and a possible water tower. There is a small 

probable wheeled-vehicle driver-training course located immediately north of the barracks and a wheeledvehicle driver-training course located west of the equipment storage and maintenance area.

Document V-330. Storage Area, Osipovichi, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, 

NPIC, June 1964.

The 135-acre installation contains two administration buildings, five barracks, 13 storage buildings, five 

probable storage buildings, six ammunition storage buildings, 11 support buildings, one small-arms range and 

one athletic field.

Document V-331. Polotsk Army Barracks and Maneuver Area, Polotsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 3,000-acre installation includes 2 administration buildings, 19 barracks, eight small probable officers' 

quarters, 18 storage buildings, 26 storage buildings, four vehicle and equipment areas containing 19 vehicle 

and equipment sheds, a secured explosive storage facility with two buildings, a possible tracked-vehicle driver 

training course and one athletic field.

Document V-332. Postavy Army Barracks, Postavy, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 50-acre installation contains two administration buildings, eight barracks, eight support buildings, and 43 

probable dependents quarters. The following factors indicate this installation is possibly associated with the 

Postavy airfield: it has a direct road connection to the Postavy Airfield 2 km west; and the absence of facilities 

such as vehicle storage-sheds, storage buildings, athletic fields or training facilities.

Document V-333. Postavy Army Barracks [Al-2], Postavy, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 270-acre installation contains three administration buildings, ten barracks, four probable barracks, 27 

support buildings, 29 storage buildings, three possible storage buildings, 41 probable dependent quarters, and 

two vehicle maintenance areas with 12 vehicle sheds, two maintenance buildings and five support buildings. 

An abandoned tank firing range located 4 km northeast and a probable tracked-vehicle driver-training course 

located 5.5 km west are associated with this installation. The Postavy Army Barracks described in Document 

V-337 is located 5 km west.

Document V-334. Slutsk Ordnance Depot, Slutsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 180-acre installation contains three administration buildings, six barracks, four storage buildings, five 

vehicle storage and maintenance buildings, 24 support buildings and a probable water tower. A secured 
ammunition storage area with four unrevetted buildings and a small-arms firing range are located immediately 

east of the installation.

Document V-335. Slutsk Army Barracks Southwest, Slutsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 400-acre installation contains three administration buildings, 14 barracks, 20 storage buildings, 57 support 

buildings, and 10 dependent and officer quarters. There also are three vehicle parks, five vehicle maintenance 

buildings, two vehicle sheds, two small-arms firing ranges, an athletic field and an open storage area.

Document V-336. Urechye Army Barracks Southeast and POL Storage, Urechye, USSR, Belorussia 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 1,230-acre installation contains seven administration buildings, 30 barracks, 37 storage buildings, two 

probable ammunition storage buildings, 26 support buildings, 28 dependents quarters, an unidentified building 

and one vehicle maintenance and storage area containing six vehicle sheds and a maintenance building. Other 

facilities include four athletic fields and four small-arms ranges. The 7-acre POL area contains 10 POL tanks 

and five possible buried tanks.

Document V-337. POL Storage Area, Volkovysk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 30-acre installation contains 15 POL storage tanks, four storage buildings, seven support buildings and a 

probable vehicle park. Immediately south of the secured area is a closed circuit figure-8 driver training course.

Document V-338. Staryye Dorogi Army Barracks, Staryye Dorogi, USSR, Belorussia MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 275-acre installation, contains fie administration buildings, 13 barracks, 15 storage buildings, 21 support 

buildings, one vehicle shed, seven possible buildings, a small-arms firing range and a driver training area.

Document V-339. Petroleum Storage Area, Brest, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 70-acre doubled-fence secured installation includes 15 semi-buried vertical storage tanks, 100 horizontal 

storage tanks, one administration building and five support buildings.

Document V-340. Volkovysk Army Barracks, Volkovysk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 584-acre installation contains three administration buildings, one administration type building, 17 

barracks, four vehicle maintenance and storage buildings, 38 storage buildings, 40 dependent and officer 

quarters, 55 support buildings, an assembly area for vehicles, a small-arms firing range, a flat trajectory firing 

range, two wheeled-vehicle driver training courses, an unidentified facility and an open area used for trackedvehicle driver training.

Document V-341. Bereza Army Barracks Yaselda, Bereza, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 145-acre installation contains 3 separate areas. The main secured barracks area includes one 

administration building, three barracks, nine support buildings and five storage buildings. An equipment 

storage and maintenance area contains two vehicle sheds and four vehicle maintenance buildings. A second 

equipment storage and maintenance area contains four support buildings, five possible ammunition storage 

buildings, two of which appear revetted. Training facilities include a parade ground, a small-arms firing range 

and an open area possible for infantry-type training.
Document V-342. Ammunition Storage Area, Bobruysk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 91-acre secured installation contains 13 ammunition storage buildings dispersed in the woods.

Document V-343. Bobruysk Barracks and Headquarters 22nd Tank Division Citadel, Bobruysk, 

USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 420-acre installation contains seven administration buildings, 24 barracks, 25 storage buildings, 53 

support buildings and 21 dependent quarters. Two large and one small vehicle or equipment areas contain 35 

associated vehicle storage and maintenance buildings and two athletic fields.

Document V-344. Borisov Army Barracks, Borisov, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 1,550-acre installation includes ten administration buildings, 36 barracks, 130 storage buildings, seven 

unrevetted probable ammunition storage buildings, 15 officers' quarters, one mess hall, ten hospital buildings 

and three smalls support buildings. Six equipment storage and maintenance areas contain 53 equipment storage 

and maintenance buildings and sheds with six associated vehicle parks. The training facilities include three 

athletic fields and three small-arms firing ranges.

Document V-345. Brest Army Camp Southeast, Brest, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 650-acre installation contains four administration buildings, 31 barracks, 27 storage buildings, 53 support 

buildings, four range-support buildings, 18 dependent quarters, one probable tent camp area, and five 

equipment storage and maintenance areas containing 13 vehicle storage and maintenance buildings and eight 

motor parks. Training facilities include two athletic fields, one wheeled–vehicle driver-training area, and a 

moving-target tank sub-caliber weapons firing range.

Document V-346. Barracks Area, Brest, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, 

NPIC, June 1964.

The 90-acre installation contains one administration building, three barracks, three vehicle maintenance 

buildings, three vehicle sheds, 16 officer and dependents quarters, six storage buildings, ten support buildings 

and a figure-8 drier-training course.

Document V-347. Military Barracks and Storage Area Bykov, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 76-acre installation is divided into three separately secured areas. It contains 89 buildings, five 

administration buildings, 16 barracks, 40 storage buildings, 26 support buildings, two maintenance and storage 

buildings, a motor pool, an open storage area, one possible small arms firing range and one athletic field.

Document V-348. Dzerzhinsk Army Barracks Southeast, Dzerzhinsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 180-acre installation contains two administration buildings, 10 barracks, 23 storage buildings, seven 

vehicle maintenance buildings, three vehicle sheds and 52 support buildings. Other facilities include an athletic 

field, seven small-arms firing ranges and numerous old artillery positions probably used for training.

Document V-349. Possible Military Storage Area, Dzerzhinsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The secured 25-acre installation contains 12 storage buildings and 19 support buildings.
Document V-350. Grodno Army Barracks Southeast, Grodno, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 280-acre installation has five separate related areas containing two administration buildings, 10 barracks, 

six probable quarters, 17 storage buildings, 19 support buildings, one equipment park for open storage of 

equipment and vehicles, and three equipment storage and maintenance areas containing four vehicle sheds and 

nine vehicle maintenance buildings. A 175-acre training area contains a small-arms firing range, two towers 

and a probable ammunition storage bunker.

Document V-351. Grodno Army Barracks and Depot Neman River South, Grodno, USSR, Belorussia 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 240-acre installation contains three administration buildings, 12 probable quarters, 82 storage buildings, 

one probable special storage building, two probable storage buildings, one large building under construction, 

one possible maintenance building, and five support buildings.

Document V-352. Probable Ammunition Storage Area, Grodno, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 20-acre installation secured by a double fence contains eight possible ammunition storage buildings.

Document V-353. Kobrin Army Barracks Northeast, Kobrin, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1964.

The 160-acre installation contains six multistory administration buildings, 18 multistory barracks, an 

equipment storage and maintenance area containing three vehicle and equipment maintenance buildings, one 

maintenance building, 13 storage buildings, 32 support buildings, two athletic fields, a small-arms firing range 

and 16 dependents quarters. On the west edges of the installation there are two underground POL storage 

areas, each directly served by access roads to the Kobrin airfield.

Document V-354. Probable Military Hospital and Associated Quarters Area, Minsk, USSR, 

Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The installation is located in the city of Minsk close to the Minsk Army Barracks Uruchye and the Minsk 

Army Barracks Northwest. A probable military hospital and administrative area comprises the main part of this 

installation with a possibly associated quarters and support area located immediately northwest. The 50-acre 

main area contains five administration buildings, seven barracks, one large multistory, multi-wing probable 

hospital building, seven storage buildings, three vehicle combined storage and maintenance buildings with an 

associated vehicle park, and 22 support buildings. The possibly associated 60-acre quarters and support area 

includes four administrative-type buildings, 38 quarters, eight storage buildings and 34 support buildings.

Document V-355. Minsk Petroleum Storage South Minsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The installation is located in the southern outskirts of Minsk. The 29-acre secured installation contains 33 

vertical POL tanks and eleven support buildings.

Document V-356. Minsk Petroleum Storage Mikhanovichi Minsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 8-acre installation contains nine semi-buried POL tanks and one support building. Two ground scars from 

the installation to the Minsk-Machulishche airfield 5 km away indicate a possible pipeline connecting the POL 

storage area to a rail unloading point at the airfield.

Document V-357. Minsk Army Barracks, Stepyanka Southeast, Minsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.
This 35-acre installation is located seven km east-northeast of Minsk. It contains four administration buildings, 

nine barracks, 31 storage buildings, 31 support buildings, 17 dependent quarters, two motor parks, and eight 

vehicle storage and maintenance buildings located in two secured equipment storage and maintenance areas. A 

30-acre secured ammunition storage area contains three unrevetted ammunition storage buildings and one 

support building and is located 2 km north-northwest of the barracks area.

Document V-358. Minsk Army Barracks Southwest, Minsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 15-acre barracks is located in the southwest section of Minsk. It contains three administration buildings, 

five barracks, four storage buildings, seven support buildings and two probable vehicle storage and 

maintenance buildings.

Document V-359. Minsk Army Barracks, Minsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 60-acre barracks is located in the northeast section of Minsk. It contains four administration buildings, 

nine barracks, eight storage buildings, five vehicle storage and maintenance buildings and 21 support 

buildings.

Document V-360. Marina Gorka Army Barracks and Depot, Marina Gorka, USSR, Belorussia MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

A military training area is located north and east, and a moving-target tank firing range is located southwest. 

The 420-acre installation includes seven administration buildings, 19 support buildings, 18 multistory 

barracks, 20 dependent quarters, 23 storage buildings, 24 combined vehicle and equipment maintenance 

buildings, one possible vehicle shed and three unidentified buildings. Other facilities include an athletic field, 

three small arms firing ranges, a possible POL storage area, and a secured area containing two unidentified 

objects.

Document V-361. Lida Training Area, Southeast Lida, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 3,800-acre installation includes a 200-acre troop billeting camp with five permanent buildings and 

extensive areas for tents. The permanent buildings include one administration building and four probable mess 

halls. The training area is relatively flat and predominately wooded. Facilities include an infantry field training 

area, two probable field artillery four-position battery emplacements, and a probable river-crossing training 

site.

Document V-362. Lepel Army Barracks, Zaslonovo Stantsiya, Lepel, USSR, Belorussia MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

There is an associated training area to the north of the installation that is covered in a separate report. Other 

military installations located in the area include the Lepel Army Barracks Northeast, the Lepel Army Barracks, 

and the headquarters of an unidentified guards tank division and storage area. This 1,825-acre installation 

contains seven administrative buildings, 19 barracks, 44 storage buildings, 67 support buildings, and 23 

combined equipment storage and maintenance buildings with four probable associated motor parks. Training 

facilities include three small arms firing ranges, an athletic field and a probable tracked-vehicle driver-training 

course.

Document V-363. Selected Installations, Mogilev, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, July 1964.

Two secured probable military storage installations are located on the northeast edge of Mogilev. One is the 

secured 75-acre Mogilev Air Depot Long Range. It contains one multistory administration building, three 
multistory barracks, 11 support buildings, 20 storage buildings, one probable vehicle-storage and maintenance 

building and a large open storage area.

The secured 5-acre Mogilev Ordnance Depot contains one multistory administration building, two barracks, 17 

storage buildings and 15 small support buildings. Buildings for repair and maintenance of heavy military 

equipment that are generally associated with an ordnance depot were not observed in the area.

Document V-364. Military Barracks and Storage Area, Mogilev, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

This 445-acre installation is 5.7 km northwest of Mogilev. It contains five administration buildings, six 

barracks, 19 support buildings, five dependent quarters, 21 storage buildings, three vehicle-sheds, four 

ammunition storage buildings a small arms firing range, a wheeled-vehicle driver-training course, and an area 

of ground scarring.

Document V-365. Molodechno Army Barracks, Velikoye Selo, Molodechno, USSR, Belorussia MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 100-acre installation includes four barracks, two multistory combined barracks and administration 

buildings, 21 storage buildings, eight support buildings and two equipment storage and maintenance areas 

containing nine vehicle sheds and two maintenance buildings. It also contains an athletic field, a small-arms 

firing range and a probable wheeled-vehicle training course.

Document V-366. Oranchitsy Petroleum Storage, Oranchitsy, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 75-acre installation contains: 24 semi-buried vertical POL tanks; seven semi-buried probable POL tanks 

with rectangular covers, of which five appear to be interconnected by pipes; one administration building; five 

storage buildings; six support buildings; and a large open area, possibly for storage of oil drums.

Document V-367. Orsha Army Supply Depot, Orsha, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 32-acre secured supply depot contains one administration building, 30 storage buildings and eight small 

support buildings. A probable fence separates the administrative area in the western end of the depot from the 

remainder of the storage area.

Document V-368. Orsha Army Barracks and Training Area Southeast, Orsha, USSR, Belorussia MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

This 40 acre partially fenced installation contains one probable administration building, four multistory 

barracks, one probable multistory barracks, two storage buildings, one vehicle shed, and 11 small support 

buildings. A fenced vehicle park is situated on the northwest edge of the installation with approximately 42 

vehicles, including 22 possible missile transporters within the vehicle park. A probable athletic field is located 

on the southeast edge of the installation.

Document V-369. Training Areas, Osipovichi, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 8,050-acre Osipovichi Training Area Northwest includes three administration and support buildings and 

one possible vehicle maintenance and storage shed. Troop housing and logistical support for the training area 

are allocated at Osipovichi Army Barracks North and Osipovichi Barracks South [Document V-305]. Training 

facilities include one moving-target tank and assault-gun firing range, one possible combined-arms field 

training course, one driver-training area, seven field artillery battery emplacements, two infantry field training 
areas, and a small bivouac area that includes two administration and support buildings. The 250-acre Training 

Area 2 includes one triangular area consisting of three courses for wheeled and tracked-vehicle driver training.

Document V-370. Military Barracks Area, Pinsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, July 1964.

The 75-acre secured installation contains 27 buildings including one administration building, one combined 

barracks and administration building, four barracks, nine storage buildings and eight support buildings. There 

is a semi-secured maintenance area that contains two vehicle maintenance buildings and a storage building. 

Training facilities include an athletic field, a small-arms firing range with a possible range house and a parade 

ground.

Document V-371. Polotsk Army Barracks Borovukha, Polotsk, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 1,400-acre installation has three main areas. There are two administration buildings, 21 multistory 

barracks, three vehicle sheds, eight storage buildings, 15 support buildings, three ammunition storage 

buildings, two four-court athletic facilities, two probable troop obstacle courses, one observer tower, one 

athletic field and one training area with a probable flat trajectory range and a probable wheeled-vehicle drivetraining course.

Document V-372. Polotsk Army Barracks, Polotsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 410-acre installation contains two administration buildings, four barracks, eight large storage buildings, 20 

support buildings, one secured ammunition storage building and two small-arms firing ranges.

Document V-373. Military Training Area, Porechye, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 11,500-acre training area contains two possible bivouac areas. Training facilities include a tank firing 

range, a probable infantry field training area and a possible combined-arms field training area. Artillery 

emplacements include three AAA sites an18 field artillery emplacements.

Document V-374. Porechye Maneuver Area Grodno Porechye, Grodnenskaya Oblast, USSR, 

Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 12,000-acre training area contains an infantry training area, a combined-arms training course, four tank 

and assault gun firing ranges, a probable flat-trajectory firing range, a maintenance and support area, ten field 

artillery emplacements and one AAA site.

Document V-375. Pruzhany Army Barracks Slobodka Pruzhany, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 830-acre installation includes a barracks area and a training facility. There are four administration 

buildings, 12 barracks, 23 support buildings, 11 storage buildings, 16 probable dependents quarters, eight 

vehicle maintenance buildings, six equipment storage buildings, three firing ranges; an obstacle course, a 

wheeled-vehicle driver-training course, a probable rail-to-road transfer point, an athletic field, a parade ground 

and an infantry field training area.

Document V-376. Ammunition Storage Area, Rechitsa, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 225-acre installation is a double-fenced ammunition storage area with an adjacent support area. It contains 

11 revetted ammunition storage buildings, two probable barracks and three support buildings.
Document V-377. Slutsk Army Barracks Central, Slutsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 110-acre installation contains one administration building, one large multistory barracks, two single-story 

barracks, 20 dependent quarters, 23 storage buildings, two vehicle maintenance buildings and 15 support 

buildings. There also are a small army firing range, athletic field and a parade ground.

Document V-378. Slutsk Army Barracks South, Slutsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 720-acre installation contains three multistory administration buildings, two combined multistory barracks 

and administration buildings, eight barracks, 31 storage buildings, 26 support buildings, two equipment storage 

and maintenance areas with eight vehicle shed and maintenance buildings. There are two secured probable 

ammunition storage areas with eight buildings (two revetted), and an athletic field. Training facilities include a 

small-army firing range and a unit training area, which includes a driver training area, personnel trenches and 

foxholes, and an infantry assault training course.

Document V-379. Selected Installations, Vitebsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The installation includes the Vitebsk Petroleum Storage South and a supply depot. The 34-acre petroleum 

storage area contains 24 storage tanks and six small support buildings. The 59-acre secured supply depot 

contains five large storage buildings and 25 small support buildings.

Document V-380. Vitebsk Army Barracks East, Vitebsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 95-acre installation contains one-multistory administrative building, one combined multistory barracks 

and administrative building, three barracks, eight storage buildings, 15 support buildings and three vehicle 

sheds.

Document V-381. Vitebsk Army Barracks West, Vitebsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 115-acre installation contains one administration building, seven barracks, five vehicle sheds, 19 storage 

buildings and nine support buildings.

Document V-382. Probable Barrack Area, Volozhin, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 150-acre installation contains four administration buildings, nine multistory barracks, eight storage and 

seventeen support buildings, six vehicle sheds, one vehicle park, one small-revetted building and an athletic 

field.

Document V-383. Zhabinka Pol Storage Pug, Zhabinka, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 70-acre secured installation contains ten POL tanks, two of which are underground; one multistory 

combined barracks and administrative building; two multistory barracks; 10 support buildings; and an athletic 

field.

Document V-384. Baranovichi Barracks and Maneuver Area Lesnaya, Baranovichi, USSR, 

Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 15,500-acre installation contains six tank and assault gun ranges, one combined-arms field training course, 

three wheeled and one tracked driver-training courses, numerous unoccupied AAA and field artillery battery 

emplacements, one small-arms firing range and a secured support area. Troop housing and logistical support 
for the training area are located in Baranovichi at Baranovichi Army Barracks SW [AL-1] and Baranovichi 

Army Barracks East (AL-2).

Document V-385. Bobr Ammunition Depot South Pug, Bobr, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 218-acre installation has a separately secured support area and a storage area. The support area contains 

one administration building, 10 small personnel quarters, 12 small support buildings, and a vehicle-storage and 

maintenance area with two vehicle sheds and two support buildings. The secured storage area contains 21 

ammunition storage buildings and one small support building within the secured area. Two support buildings 

are located outside the security fence around the storage area.

Document V-386. Bobruysk Army Barracks West and Associated Training Area, Bobruysk, USSR, 

Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 700-acre barracks area contains three administration buildings, 41 barracks, 36 storage buildings, 41 

support buildings, two officers quarters, one probable officers' club, one large gymnasium, two vehicle 

maintenance and storage areas with 15 vehicle maintenance buildings, an athletic field, two small-arms firing 

ranges, and a sod aircraft landing strip with a tower. A transshipment facility on the northwest edge of the 

installation contains two buildings. A large water treatment basin is located west of the installation.

The 630-acre associated training area contains two small-arms ranges, a probable tracked-vehicle driver 

training area, two tank and assault gun firing ranges and nine support buildings.

Document V-387. Bobruysk Army Maneuver Area, Bobruysk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 24,250-acre training area contains a 170-acre bivouac area with nine support buildings, an irregularly 

shaped, closed-circuit driver-training course, three tank and assault-gun firing ranges, a small-arms firing range 

which may be used as a sub-caliber range for tanks, two combined–arms training areas, three infantry field 

training areas, and a water crossing site on the Berezina River on the southern edge of the training area.

Document V-388. Ammunition Storage Area, Bobruysk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 165-acre area contains 34 gable- and quonset-roofed ammunition storage buildings and one bunkered and 

six support buildings. The ammunition storage buildings are located on individual hardstands and are dispersed 

throughout the installation in wooded areas. A security fence with sentry towers at each corner encloses the 

ammunition storage area. A probable gate and a guardhouse are located on the north side of the storage area.

Document V-389. Selected Military Installation, Bobruysk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

Military installations in the southeast section of Bobruysk include an air Force Depot, the Headquarters 5th 

Guards Mechanized Army and the Army Food Depot South.

o The 74-acre Air Force Depot includes three administration buildings, 22 storage buildings, 12 support 

buildings, three barracks, and three vehicle maintenance buildings in a vehicle maintenance and 

storage area. 

o The 27-acre secured Headquarter 5th Guards Mechanized Army includes three administration 

buildings, two barracks, three storage buildings and five support buildings. 

o The 40-acre Army Food Depot contains three administration buildings, 24 storage buildings, six 

possible storage buildings, six support buildings and four barracks. There is also a probable vehicle 

maintenance and storage area containing three vehicle maintenance buildings. 
Document V-390. Borisov Army Barracks South, Borisov, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 1,200-acre installation has seven administration buildings, 23 barracks, 31 storage buildings, 118 support 

buildings, 44 office and dependent quarters, three vehicle storage and maintenance areas containing a total of 

10 storage and maintenance buildings, and an additional eight vehicle or equipment maintenance buildings. 

There is also a secured ammunition storage area with 10 unrevetted buildings, a POL storage area with six 

tanks, and two athletic fields. Training facilities include six small arms ranges, a probable wheeled-vehicle 

driver-training course, and a wheeled and tracked-vehicle training area.

Document V-391. Brest Army Barracks Central, Brest, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 100-acre installation contains three administration buildings, 11 barracks, 13 storage buildings, 24 support 

buildings, five vehicle storage and maintenance buildings, and two motor parks in two equipment storage and 

maintenance areas.

Document V-392. Storage Area, Chemernoye, Chemernoye, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 41-acre secured storage area includes 20 large and five small storage buildings, two large, well ventilated 

buildings with firewalls, which are probably used for special storage, one administration building, two 

barracks, and eight support buildings. Located separately are an open storage area of approximately two acres 

and a loading area of 7.2 acres.

Document V-393. Dretun Army Training Area, Dretun, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 21,500-acre training area includes two support areas with two probable administration buildings, five 

barracks, 16 storage buildings, six support buildings, two bivouac areas, and a possible secured storage area 

with 10 unrevetted buildings. Training facilities are two moving-target tank and assault gun firing ranges, one 

tracked-vehicle driver-training course, a wheeled and tracked-vehicle driver-training area, and a probable 

combined-arms field training area.

Document V-394. Gomel Army Barracks, Gomel, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 290-acre installation includes two administration buildings, 13 barracks, 33 support buildings, 18 storage 

buildings and two small-arms firing ranges.

Document V-395. Gorodok Depot Prudok, Gorodok, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 190-acre double secured installation includes 21 storage buildings, one l-shaped administration and 

support building, and four guard towers. Six other support buildings are located outside the secured area.

Document V-396. Grodno Army Barracks east Grodno, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 140-acre installation includes four administration buildings, 16 barracks, 35 storage buildings, 15 support 

buildings, and four equipment storage and maintenance areas containing eight vehicle sheds and nine 

maintenance buildings. There are two athletic fields.

Document V-397. Grodno Army Barracks North, Grodno, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 83-acre secured barracks area contains two administration buildings, eight barracks, six quarters, 20 
storage buildings, 16 support buildings, a possible armory or large gymnasium, two wheeled-vehicle training 

courses, a vehicle park and a vehicle storage and maintenance area with five vehicle maintenance and storage 

buildings. The 36-acre secured POL storage area contains six large POL tanks, 17 small POL tanks and three 

support buildings.

Document V-398. Kobrin Petroleum Storage Area, Kobrin, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 30-acre secured installation contains three large vertical POL tanks, five medium vertical POL tanks, one 

small vertical POL tank, six small horizontal tanks and three support buildings. Within the secured area there 

are five unidentified circular ground scars in a wooded area.

Document V-399. Krasnyy-Bereg Petroleum Storage Pristan, Krasnyy-Bereg, USSR, Belorussia MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 167-acre secured installation contains 32 vertical POL storage tanks, 13 large rectangular revetments 

containing 96 horizontal POL storage tanks, three administration buildings, three barracks, four quarters, 14 

storage buildings, and four support buildings. Outside the secured area are four revetted rectangular probable 

waste basins connected by a probable underground pipeline to a pump house at the installation.

Document V-400. Krupki POL Storage Area, Stantsiya Krupki, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1964.

The 50-are installation contains six medium and two small POL storage tanks. An associated barracks and 

support area contains six single story barracks, one L-shaped administration building, one storage building and 

10 support buildings.

Document V-401. Lepel Army Barracks and Headquarters, Unidentified Guards Tank Division and 

Lepel Ammunition Storage Depot, Lepel, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, 

NPIC, July 1964.

The 600-acre installation contains an ammunition storage depot and barracks area. The barracks area contains 

four administration buildings, 11 barracks, 13 storage buildings, 27 support buildings, 15 equipment storage 

and maintenance buildings, and associated parking areas. There are small-arms ranges and one athletic field. 

An area probably associated with the barracks area contains 10 support buildings and one large E-shaped 

administration and barracks building. The secured ammunition depot also is separated from the barracks area 

by a firebreak. It contains 24 unrevetted ammunition storage buildings, six small storage buildings, 14 support 

buildings and one administration building.

Document V-402. Training Area, Lepel, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, 

NPIC, July 1964.

The 5,260-acre installation contains six tank and assault-gun firing ranges, one driver-crew training area, one 

range control building, a four range control buildings and two possible small-arms firing ranges. Troop 

housing and logistical support for the training area are located at AL-3 and AL-4.

Document V-403. Borisov Army Training Areas, Borisov, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, August 1964.

The 36,300-acre Training Area I has an ammunition storage area containing four bunkers. Driver training 

facilities include one circular and one figure 8 driver-training course for wheeled vehicles, three irregularly 

shaped closed-circuit courses, and two irregularly shaped areas where heavy scarring, probably by tracked 

vehicles, may obliterate other individual courses. There are 11 tank and assault-gun firing ranges. Artillery 

emplacements identified in the training area include five-gun AAA battery emplacements, and four three- and 
five-gun field artillery battery emplacements. Troop housing and logistical support for the area is at Borisov 

Army Barracks West and South.

The 3,900-acre Training area II includes an elliptical driver-training course for tracked vehicles, an irregularly 

shaped closed-circuit course for wheeled vehicles, and a possible river-crossing site for engineer training.

Document V-404. Minsk Army Training Area Kalinina, Minsk, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, August 1964.

The 28,280-acre largest portion of the training area is in a heavily wooded area. The smaller, 3,400-acre area is 

on level ground in a largely wooded area with the major training facilities in generally cleared areas. The 

Minsk Army Barracks Uruchye [Document V-312] and Minsk Barracks Kalinina [Document V-317] provide 

troop housing and logistical support. Two bivouac areas are in the southeast portion of the larger area. All 

driver-training facilities are in the larger area and include a two tracked-vehicle driver-training course and a 

one wheeled-vehicle driver-training course. An equipment storage and maintenance area is adjacent to one of 

the tracked-vehicle driver-training courses. Five tank and assault-gun firing ranges and a flat-trajectory range 

are in the overall training area. There are also 10 field artillery battery emplacements. Two probable impact 

areas are located near the center of the larger area. Two infantry field-training areas and a combined-arms 

field-training course are located in the larger area. There are two unidentified training facilities located near the 

combined-arms course, which are possibly firing facilities. There is a probable wheeled-vehicle-mounted 

automatic weapons firing range, a probable automatic weapons firing range, and a third firing range, which is a 

combination of the other two in the smaller area.

Document V-405. Training Area Brest, USSR, Belorussia MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, 

August 1964.

The 49,675-acre training area includes a small bivouac area, a possible secured support area containing nine 

support buildings, two open vehicle and equipment parks, a wheeled-vehicle driver-training area containing 

one large closed-circuit course and five figure-8 courses, and a probable tracked-vehicle driver-training course. 

There are six tank and assault-gun firing ranges, two flat-trajectory firing ranges, two AAA battery 

emplacements, four 6-gun field artillery battery emplacements, and two large combined-arms field training 

areas with three areas of unidentified activity.

Document V-406. Marina Gorka Training Areas I and II, Marina Gorka, USSR, Belorussian MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, August 1964.

The 5,930-acre training area I includes two secured storage areas associated with the army barracks. Troop 

housing and logistic support for the training area are located at the army barracks. Training facilities include 

one irregular-shaped area for wheeled and tracked-vehicle driver training, three probable moving target runs 

for probable automatic weapons training, and one possible small arms range. The 2,965 acre training area II 

contains troop housing and logistic support located at the army barracks. The area has four tank and assaultgun firing ranges.

Document V-407. Slonim Army Training Area Southeast, Slonim, USSR, Belorussian MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, August 1964.

The 3,100-acre training area contains a wheeled-vehicle driver-training course, a tracked-vehicle drivertraining area, two tank and assault-gun firing ranges, a possible flat-trajectory range near one of the tank and 

assault-gun firing ranges and an infantry field-training area.

↑ BACK TO CHAPTER 5

MOSCOW MILITARY DISTRICT
Document V-408. Selected Military Installations, Gorkiy Oblast, Gorkiy, USSR, Moscow MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1965.

The 60-acre Gorkiy Army Barracks Okha River East contains two administration buildings, 22 barracks, three 

vehicle sheds, 1 probable vehicle maintenance building, 24+ storage buildings and a possible athletic field. The 

24-acre Officer Candidate School contains two administration buildings, two classroom buildings and four 

support buildings. A secured 8-acre explosives storage area contains three revetted explosive storage buildings, 

six probable storage buildings and one support building.

Document V-409. Gorky Army Barracks Southeast and Gorkiy Army Depot Southeast, Gorkiy, USSR, 

Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1965.

The Army Barracks and the Army Depot are on a 250 acre-installation. It contains one possible and one 

probable administration buildings, three administration buildings, 32 barracks, six barracks and quarters, 27 

quarters, 71 storage buildings, two maintenance buildings, one vehicle maintenance building, eight vehicle 

sheds and 33 support buildings.

Document V-410. Tambov Artillery OCS, Tambov, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, May 1965.

The 52-acre installation contains two administration buildings, six barracks, seven officer and dependents 

quarters, eight storage buildings, 17 support buildings, a vehicle maintenance building, 2 small-arms firing 

ranges and an athletic field.

Document V-411. Rzhev Ordinance Depot and Barracks, Rzhev, Kaliningrad Oblast, USSR, Moscow 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1965.

The 182-acre installation includes three administration buildings, four barracks, five combined barracks and 

quarters, 51 storage buildings, 18 support buildings, two vehicle sheds, a vehicle maintenance building, an 

athletic field and a probable small-arms firing range.

Document V-412. Storage Area, Uglich, Yaroslav Oblast, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1965.

The 38-acre installation includes one administration building, two probable barracks, storage buildings and 

five support buildings.

Document V-413. Possible Explosives Storage Area, Mtsensk, Orlov Oblast, USSR, Moscow MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1965.

The 125-acre secured storage area includes four revetted possible explosives storage buildings, two storage 

buildings, and four clearings which contain probable construction activity. Seven support buildings are located 

immediately north of the secured area. The probable support area contains one administration building, four 

barracks, nine support buildings and an athletic field.

Document V-414. Bryansk Air Defense Headquarters and Army Barracks Southwest, Bryansk, USSR, 

Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1965.

The 25-acre installation contains an administration building, three probable storage buildings, three vehicle 

sheds, eight support buildings and an athletic field.

Document V-415. Karachev Ammunition Depot North PUG, Karachev, Bryansk Oblast, USSR, 

Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1965.

The 800-acre installation contains a double-secured storage depot and a support area. The storage depot 

contains one unidentified bunkered building, five earth-mounded probable arch-roofed storage buildings, two 

earth-mounded probable arched-roofed storage buildings under construction, 46 probable ammunition storage 
buildings, 18 storage buildings, 17 support buildings, and one unidentified building under construction. The 

support area contains one administration building, one possible barracks, 12 storage buildings, 16 support 

buildings and a small-arms firing range 0.5 km south.

Document V-416. Selected Military Installations, Gorkiy, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

Two military installations are located within the walls of Gorkiy Kremlin: Gorkiy Headquarters Barracks and 

School Kremlin and a barracks area. The 24-acre Gorkiy Headquarters Barracks and School contains one 

classroom, one administration building, three barracks, one storage and maintenance building and 11 support 

buildings. The 20-acre associated barracks area contains one administration building, three barracks and one 

storage building. [See Document V-27 for a later report on this installation.]

Document V-417. Gorkiy Army Depot, Gorkiy, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, 

NPIC, June 1965.

The 215-acre installation has a number of adjacent but separately secured areas. The depot contains 87 storage 

buildings, four large maintenance buildings, four probable administration buildings, seven vehicle sheds, a 

heating plant, 55 support buildings and three possible overhead cranes.

Document V-418. Explosives Storage, Volodarsk, Gorkovskaya Oblast, USSR, Moscow MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 35-acre explosives storage area is doubled secured and surrounded by a firebreak. It contains 13 

explosives storage buildings, two transshipment sheds and seven probable storage buildings.

Document V-419. Tambov Army Barracks South, Tambov, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 168-acre installation contains 14 barracks, four administration buildings, 67 storage buildings, 38 support 

buildings, 22 combined officers and dependents quarters, three vehicle maintenance buildings, an open storage 

area, one athletic field, one small-arms firing range, a water tower and a possible radome.

Document V-420. Barracks Area, Pereslavl-Zalesskiy, Yarolslavsk Oblast, USSR, Moscow MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 310-acre installation contains a barracks and administration building, nine barracks, 19 quarters, 12 

storage buildings, 28 support buildings, three vehicle maintenance buildings, an athletic field, three small-arms 

firing ranges and a possible wheeled-vehicle driver-training area.

Document V-421. Yarosavl Army Depot, Yaroslavl, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 700-acre installation contains three administration buildings, 26 possible barracks, seven quarters, 47 

storage buildings, 38 support buildings, three vehicle maintenance buildings, an athletic field and a possible 

bivouac area.

Document V-422. Storage Area, Yaroslavl, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, 

NPIC, June 1965.

The 70-acre installation has a secured storage area and a support area containing one administration building, a 

possible barracks and administration building, six barracks, 27 storage buildings and 10 support buildings.

Document V-423. Probable Explosives Storage Area, Volga, Yaroslask Oblast, USSR, Moscow MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.
The 340-acre installation contains two possible administration buildings, one multistory barracks, 31 probable 

explosives storage buildings, 10 storage buildings, nine support buildings and one small-arms firing range.

Document V-424. Yaroslavl Ammunition Depot, Yaroslavl, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 210-acre installation contains one administration building, two barracks, 10 combined barracks and 

quarters, five quarters, 34 ammunition storage buildings, seven storage buildings, 22 support buildings and an 

unidentified facility.

Document V-425. Yaruslavl Army Barracks, Yaroslavl, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 65-acre installation contains two combined barracks and administration buildings, three probable 

combined barracks and administration buildings, 10 barracks, two storage buildings, 17 support buildings, one 

maintenance building, a possible maintenance building, four vehicle sheds and a building under construction.

Document V-426. Storage Area, Rostov, Yaroslavsk Oblast, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The double-fenced 135-acre installation contains one probable administration building, one combined barracks 

and administration building, three probable barracks, two possible vehicle maintenance buildings, 27 storage 

buildings and 13 support buildings.

Document V-427. Yaroslavl Barracks and OCS, Yaroslavl, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 30-acre installation contains one administration building, one combined barracks and school building, two 

vehicle-maintenance sheds, two vehicle storage sheds and 11 support buildings.

Document V-428. Bryansk Ordinance Depot Bryansk II, Bryansk, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, May 1965.

The 250-acre installation contains a secured storage area and a support area. The storage area contains 71 

storage buildings, two U-shaped storage buildings, nine support buildings and five open storage areas. The 

support area contains two administration buildings, four barracks, six barracks and quarters, five storage 

buildings and 25 support buildings.

Document V-429. Lipetsk Ammunition Depot Krasny Luch 737, Lipetsk, USSR, Moscow MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 485-acre triple-secured installation contains 64 ammunition storage buildings, two rail-to-road transfer 

buildings, and two support buildings. A support area immediately north contains an administration building, 

three barracks, ten possible storage buildings and 14 support buildings.

Document V-430. Explosives Storage Area, Brusovo, Kalininsk Oblast, USSR, Moscow MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 500-acre installation contains a barracks and administration building, two multistory barracks, 12 probable 

quarters and barracks, 27 explosives storage buildings, 22 support buildings and an athletic field.

Document V-431. Secured Storage Area, Berezayka, Kalininsk Oblast, USSR, Moscow MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The secured 200-acre installation contains a support area with two administration buildings, four barracks, and 

12 support buildings, a doubled-secured storage area with 16 storage buildings, three support buildings and an 

open storage area.
Document V-432. Kalinin Army Barracks Volga, Kalinin, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 100-acre installation contains two administration buildings, three barracks, 20 storage buildings, 24 

support buildings, two vehicle maintenance buildings, five vehicle sheds, one vehicle park and a small-arms 

firing range.

Document V-433. Kalinin Army Barracks Northwest, Kalinin, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 41-acre installation contains three administration buildings, six barracks, 10 storage buildings, 12 support 

buildings, four vehicle maintenance buildings and three probable vehicle-sheds.

Document V-434. Kalinin Training Area Chapayevka, Kalinin, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1965.

The 31,190-acre installation contains four administration buildings, three bivouac areas, 16 storage buildings, 

35 support buildings, 21 ammunition storage buildings, 6 small-arms firing ranges, two probable small-arms 

firing ranges, numerous personnel trenches, an athletic field, a probable wheeled-vehicle-mounted automatic 

weapons firing range, three tank and assault gun firing ranges, two field artillery batteries, a figure-eight 

wheeled-vehicle driver-training course and a combination track and wheeled-vehicle driver-training course.

Document V-435. Barracks Area, Torzhok, Kalinin Oblast, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 40-acre installation contains five multistory barracks, a combined barracks and administration building, 

one vehicle shed, one vehicle maintenance building, nine support buildings and an athletic field. A 10-acre 

probably associated area immediately west contains eight multistory barracks.

Document V-436. Storage Area, Staraya Toropa, Kalininskaya Oblast, USSR, Moscow MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 70-acre installation one probable administration building, 22 storage buildings, one probable vehicle shed 

and five support buildings.

Document V-437. Playsk Army Barracks, Plavsk, Tulskaya Oblast, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 30-acre installation contains one administration building, six barracks, three probable quarters, six storage 

buildings, one vehicle storage and maintenance building, one vehicle shed and seven support buildings.

Document V-438. Storage Area, Orekhovo-Zuyevo, Moscow Oblast, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 220-acre double-secured installation contains 45 storage buildings, one probable maintenance building, 

one probable transloading building, a support area with one possible administration building, four possible 

barracks, 10 quarters and seven support buildings.

Document V-439. Buy Ammunition Depot No 50, Buy Kostromsk Oblast, USSR, Moscow MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 1,000-acre installation contains one storage area and one support area. The storage area contains 64 

ammunitions storage buildings, three possible ammunition storage buildings, one possible ammunition-storage 

building under construction, and five support buildings. The support area contains one administration building, 

three multistory barracks, 29 support buildings and an athletic field.
Document V-440. Buy Ordnance Depot West, Buy, Kostromskaya Oblast, USSR, Moscow MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1965.

The 410-acre installation contains one combined barracks and administration building, five barracks, nine 

combined barracks and quarters, nine quarters, one vehicle shed, 64 storage buildings, a possible explosives 

storage building, 12 support buildings and a small-arms firing range. A possibly associated tank and assaultgun firing range is located nine km southwest of the depot.

Document V-441. Kostroma Army Barracks East, Kostroma, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 160-acre installation contains two multistory administration buildings, five multistory barracks, 23 storage 

buildings, 25 support buildings, one vehicle maintenance building, three vehicle sheds, five probable vehiclesheds, a vehicle park and a probable athletic field.

Document V-442. Training Area, Kostroma, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, 

NPIC, July 1965.

The 7,050-acre installation contains three combined barracks and administration buildings, three barracks, 

three bivouac areas, four storage buildings, 26 support buildings, a subcaliber weapons firing range, two smallarms firing ranges, two athletic fields, two figure-eight wheeled-vehicle driver-training courses, four 

unidentified cleared areas and an infantry field-training area.

Document V-443. Storage Area, Serpukhov, Moscow Oblast, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The double secured storage area contains 14 probable explosives storage buildings, 21 storage buildings, five 

support buildings and nine guardhouses and towers. The single-secured support area contains two multistory 

barracks, eight quarters, four probable storage buildings, 10 support buildings, two guardhouses, a water tower 

and an athletic field.

Document V-444. Serpukhov Ordnance Depot No 45, Serpukhov, Moscow Oblast, USSR, Moscow 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 197-acre installation contains three administration buildings, nine barracks, three probable quarters, 93 

storage buildings, 30 support buildings, two heavy repair shops, one separately secured motor park, a steam 

plant, two rail-served unloading areas [one with a traveling overhead crane], one storage areas and a smallarms firing range.

Document V-445. Barracks Area, Serpukhov, Moscow Oblast, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 100-acre installation contains one administration building, seven barracks, seven quarters, nine probable 

storage buildings, three hangers which are probably used for vehicle and equipment storage, three probable 

vehicle-sheds, a probable open-air theater, six support buildings, two athletic fields and a small-arms firing 

range.

Document V-446. Possible Military Storage Area, Novo-Dugino, Smolensk Oblast, USSR, Moscow 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 400-acre installation contains one administration building, four multistory barracks, nine storage 

buildings, 21 support buildings and an athletic field.

Document V-447. Barracks Area (54-49N 32-04E), Smolensk, Smolensk, USSR, Moscow MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.
The 20-acre installation contains a secured administration building, 17 small barracks, five probable quarters, 

two storage buildings and four support buildings.

Document V-448. Probable Barracks Area (54-47N 032-01), Smolensk, USSR, Moscow MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The secured 20-acre installation contains two multistory combined barracks and administration buildings, one 

probable barracks, three probable storage buildings and four support buildings.

Document V-449. Smolensk Army Barracks Northwest, Smolensk, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 55-acre installation is partially secured. It contains one administration building, one probable 

administration building, three barracks, 10 large storage buildings, two possible ammunition storage buildings, 

two possible vehicle sheds, one possible vehicle maintenance building, 17 support buildings, 21 probable 

quarters and an athletic field.

Document V-450. Barracks Area (54-46N 032-00E), Smolensk, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

This 100-acre small barracks area contains one combined barracks and administration building, one probable 

administration building, one barracks, five storage buildings, seven support buildings, two unidentified 

buildings, 10 probable dependents quarters, a probable swimming pool and an athletic field.

Document V-451. Kolomna, Ammunition Depot West-Southwest, Kolomna, Moscow Oblast, USSR, 

Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The double-secured 580-acre installation has a storage area and a support area. The storage area contains 32 

ammunition storage buildings, one rail-to-road transfer building and one support building. The support area 

contains 27 quarters, 13 support buildings and an athletic field.

Document V-452. Kolomna Ammunition Depot Southwest, Kolomna, Moscow Oblast, USSR, Moscow 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 150-acre installation has a double-secured ammunition storage area and an adjacent support area. The 

storage area contains 15 ammunition storage buildings, two small explosives buildings and five support 

buildings. The support area contains one administration building, four barracks, nine quarters and nine support 

buildings.

Document V-453. Kovrov Army Barracks Northeast, Kovrov, Vladmirskaya Oblast, USSR, Moscow 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 165-acre installation contains two administration buildings, 12 barracks, 29 officers and dependents 

quarters, 36 storage buildings, 26 support buildings, eight vehicle sheds, four vehicle maintenance buildings 

and a athletic field. An ammunition storage area that contains eight ammunition storage buildings, one support 

building, tracked-vehicle driver-training course is located immediately east of the installation.

Document V-454. Kovrov Ammunition Depot South, Kovrov, Vladimirskaya Oblast, USSR, Moscow 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The double-secured 600-acre installation contains 39 ammunition storage buildings, 11 probable ammunition 

buildings, one probable bunker, one probable munitions loading building and two support buildings. The 

support area contains two combined barracks and administration buildings, 13 quarters, two probable storage 

buildings, six support buildings, an athletic field and a probable small-arms firing range.
Document V-455. Kovrov Training Area West, Kovrov, Vladimirskaya Oblast, USSR, Moscow MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1965.

The 2,560-acre installation contains a bivouac area with one administration building and 10 support buildings. 

There is a double-secured storage area with 16 storage buildings, 2 support buildings and one vehicle 

maintenance building. In a secured probable ammunition storage area there are three buildings. Training 

facilities include an athletic field, a small-arms firing range, a tracked-vehicle driver-training course, two tankand assault gun-firing ranges, a probable combined-arms field-training course, an infantry field training area, 

two probable wheeled-vehicle-mounted automatic weapons firing ranges, and a subcaliber moving target firing 

range.

Document V-456. Arsaki Ammunition Depot Nikulskoye No 113, Nikulskoye, Moscow Oblast, USSR, 

Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 550-acre installation contains two possible combined barracks and administration buildings, two possible 

barracks, nine storage buildings, 16 ammunition storage buildings, 11 support buildings, one probable vehicle 

maintenance building, an athletic field and a small-arms firing range.

Document V-457. Nerekhta Ammunition Depot Burmakino, Nerekhta, Kostromskaya Oblast, USSR, 

Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 1,435-acre installation contains five administration buildings, 20 barracks, 55 quarters, 33 storage 

buildings, 51 support buildings, 75 ammunition storage buildings, a probable vehicle shed, a small arms firing 

range and an athletic field.

Document V-458. Buda Maltsevskaya Ammunition Depot Southeast, Buda, Kaluzhskaya Oblast, 

USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 1,050-acre installation has an ammunition depot and support area. The double-secured ammunition depot 

contains 10 large revetted ammunition storage buildings, 148 medium revetted ammunition storage buildings, 

28 small-revetted ammunition storage buildings and four support buildings. Three support buildings are 

located outside the security fence. The support area contains two administration buildings, four barracks, five 

storage buildings, 31 support buildings, a water tower and a small-arms firing range.

Document V-459. Dobryatino Ammunition Depot Railroad Station, Dobryatino, Vladimursk Oblast, 

USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 250-acre installation contains two administration buildings, 21 combined support-and quarters-buildings, 

30 ammunition storage buildings and seven support buildings.

Document V-460. Ostrogozhsk Army Barracks, Ostrogozhsk, Voronezhsk Oblast, USSR, Moscow MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 200-acre installation contains two administration buildings, six barracks, 23 quarters, two storage 

buildings, three vehicle sheds, one vehicle-park and 22 support buildings. Training facilities include an athletic 

field, a small-arms firing range and one wheeled-vehicle driver-training course.

Document V-461. Murom Engineer Depot Northwest, Murom, Vladimirsk Oblast, USSR, Moscow 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 45-acre installation includes a storage area and a vehicle park. The storage area contains 20 storage 

buildings and three support buildings. The vehicle park contains five probable vehicle sheds and four support 

buildings.

Document V-462. Explosives Storage Area, Melenki, Vladimirskaya Oblast, Moscow MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.
The 200-acre installation contains three separate areas. A small secured support area contains two support 

buildings. The storage area contains 24 explosive storage buildings, six storage buildings, two probable 

transshipment buildings and four support buildings. The housing area contains one possible administration 

building, seven quarters, four storage buildings, two support buildings and an athletic field.

Document V-463. Vladimir Army Barracks and Training Center, Vladimir, USSR, Moscow MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 336-acre barracks installation contains three combined administration and classroom buildings, six 

administration buildings, 18 barracks, four combined barracks and quarters, 28 combined officers and

dependents quarters, 63 storage buildings, 96 support buildings, one vehicle maintenance building, four 

vehicle sheds, two athletic fields, a possible prison with one prison barracks, two storage buildings and three 

support buildings. The driver-training area contains four tracked-vehicle driver-training courses, one combined 

barracks and administration building, one storage building, five support buildings, one vehicle maintenance 

building and four vehicle sheds. The double-secured ammunition storage area contains seven ammunition 

storage buildings and two support buildings.

Document V-464. Dzerzhinsk Ammunition Depot West, Dzerzhinsk, Gorkiy Oblast, USSR, Moscow 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 1,820-acre installation contains a large double-secured storage area and a support area. The storage area 

contains 123 ammunition storage buildings, four semi-revetted special storage buildings, 17 horizontal 

probable storage tanks, nine rail-to-road transfer and support buildings, four storage buildings, one probable 

administration building and three support buildings. The support area contains three administration buildings, 

three barracks, 45 combined barracks and quarters, 16 storage buildings, 32 support buildings and an athletic 

field.

Document V-465. Toropets Ammunition Depot South, Toropets, Kalininsk Oblast, USSR, Moscow 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 480-acre installation contains four administration buildings, seven barracks, six quarters, 77 storage 

buildings, 31 support buildings and a possible motor park.

Document V-466. Toropets Ammunition Depot Northeast, Toropets, Kalininskaya Oblast, USSR, 

Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 850-acre installation contains two administration buildings, three barracks, 54 ammunition storage 

buildings, 12 storage buildings, a probable packing and shipping building, 29 support buildings, a motor park, 

a vehicle shed and a vehicle maintenance building.

Document V-467. Ryazhsk Ammunition Depot Northwest, Ryazhsk, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 300-acre installation contains a double-secured storage area and a support area with a total of two 

administration buildings, six barracks, four storage buildings, 64 ammunition storage buildings, 40 support 

buildings and three rail-to-road transloading buildings.

Document V-468. Tula Ammunition Depot Khomyakovo Southwest, Tula, USSR, Moscow MD, 

Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 300-acre installation contains a double-secured storage area with 51 ammunition storage buildings and an 

adjoining support area with an administration building, two barracks, 14 quarters, six storage buildings and 14 

support buildings.
Document V-469. Kaluga Ammunition Depot and Kaluga Army Barracks and Depot, Kaluga, USSR, 

Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 165-acre Kaluga Ammunition Depot contains 29 ammunition storage buildings and five support buildings. 

The 320-acre Kaluga Army Barracks and Depot contain two administration buildings, six barracks, 55 

probable quarters, 31 storage buildings, seven combined vehicle and equipment maintenance buildings, 37 

support buildings, a small-arms firing range and an athletic field.

Document V-470. Rzhev Ammunition Depot Monchalovo, Rzhev, Kalininskaya Oblast, USSR, 

Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 1,130-acre installation contains one administration building, seven combined barracks and quarters, 11 

quarters, six storage buildings, 20 support buildings and 33 ammunition storage buildings.

Document V-471. Neya Ammunition Depot Southwest, Neya, Kostromskaya Oblast, USSR, Moscow 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 450-acre installation contains a storage area with 79 ammunition storage buildings and a support area with 

an administration building, a barracks and 17 support buildings.

Document V-472. Probable Explosives Storage Area, Kozelsk, Kaluzhskaya Oblast, USSR, Moscow 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The doubled secured 35-acre installation surrounded by a firebreak contains nine probable explosives storage 

buildings and two support buildings.

Document V-473. Kursk Army Barracks North and Kursk Ammo Depot North, Kursk, USSR, Moscow 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, June 1965.

The 280-acre installations contain seven administration buildings, 21 barracks, one probable barracks under 

construction, 42 quarters, 23 storage buildings, eight probable explosives storage buildings and 38 support 

buildings. Six vehicle storage areas contain four vehicle sheds and three vehicle maintenance buildings.

Document V-474. Kursk Army Barracks River Seym, Kursk, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1965.

The 2,500-acre installation contains three administration buildings, three probable combined barracks and 

administration buildings, four probable barracks, a bivouac area, 26 quarters, 11 vehicle sheds, two combined 

vehicle storage and maintenance buildings and 29 support buildings.

A double-secured probable explosives storage area contains seven storage buildings and two support buildings.

Training facilities include two athletic fields, two small-arms firing ranges, a tracked-vehicle driver-training 

course, a wheeled-vehicle driver-training course, an infantry training area and a probable vehicle-mounted 

automatic-weapons firing range.

Another training area six km north-northeast contains a tracked-vehicle driver-training course and a combined 

tank and assault-gun firing range, both of which appear to be abandoned.

Document V-475. Chuchkovo Ammunition Depot, Chuchkovo, Ryazanskaya Oblast, USSR, Moscow 

MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1965.

The 615-acre installation is double secured and surrounded by a firebreak. The depot contains 134 revetted 

ammunition storage buildings, 15 support buildings and one transloading building. The 40-acre support area 

contains two administration buildings, 15 barracks, 35 support buildings and two storage buildings.
Document V-476. Ryazan Army Barracks Southwest, Ryazan, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1965.

The 1,200-acre installation contains five administration buildings, one probable administration building, nine 

combined barracks and administration buildings, 25 probable barracks, 12 probable quarters, 27 storage 

buildings, two revetted explosives storage buildings, three equipment and vehicle maintenance buildings, two 

probable transloading buildings, 54 support buildings and two athletic fields. A 900-acre training area contains 

five small-arms firing ranges, two wheeled-vehicle driver-training courses and six support buildings.

Document V-477. Training Area, Ryazan, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, 

July 1965.

The 12,800-acre installation contains a possible bivouac area and two other bivouac areas with a total of five 

barracks, 25 quarters and 14 support buildings. A possible ammunition storage area contains three possible 

bunkers and two vehicle parks. Training facilities include three athletic fields, two small-arms firing ranges, 

wheeled vehicle and tracked-vehicle driver-training areas, a tank and assault-gun firing range, a field artillery 

training area, a combined-arms field training course, two probable infantry field training areas and an area of 

unidentified ground scarring.

Document V-478. Shuya Army Barracks and Associated Storage and Training Areas, Shuya, 

Ivanovskaya Oblast, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1965.

The 165-acre barracks area contains three administration buildings, 11 barracks, eight combined barracks and 

quarters, eight combined officer and dependents quarters, 34 storage buildings, 38 support buildings, two 

vehicle maintenance buildings, seven vehicle sheds, nine probable vehicle-sheds, a small-arms firing range and 

one athletic field.

The ammunition storage area contains 10 ammunition storage buildings, five support buildings, a storage area 

containing six storage buildings, one support building and a tracked-vehicle driver-training course. A probable 

wheeled-vehicle-mounted automatic-weapons moving-target firing range is 95 km south of the barracks area. 

To the rear of the range are located one storage building and 11 support buildings.

Document V-479. Probable Explosives Storage Area, Voronezh, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic 

Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1965.

The secured 140-acre installation contains eight probable explosives storage buildings. A support area contains 

an administration building, four quarters and three support buildings.

Document V-480. Military Installations, Gorokhovets, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, July 1965.

A large military training area contains the 182,400-acre Gorokhovets Artillery Training Center, the 

Gorokhovets Army Barracks, and contains seven troop-billeting areas.

o Area I, the Gorokhovets Army Barracks, contains a bivouac area with one administration building, 35 

support buildings, four vehicle parks with three vehicle sheds, two support buildings, a probable water 

reservoir, an unidentified area with three buildings and an athletic field. 

o Area II contains three administration buildings, 25 barracks, 71 quarters, 56 storage buildings, 14 

probable storage buildings, three explosives storage buildings, 15 possible explosives storage 

buildings, three vehicle parks with five possible vehicle sheds, five possible equipment sheds, seven 

vehicle sheds, 56 support buildings and an athletic field. 

o Area III is a bivouac area. 

o Area IV contains three administration buildings, seven probable barracks, 26 barracks, 12 quarters, 47 

storage buildings, three possible semi-buried buildings, three vehicle sheds, 33 support buildings, an 
athletic field, and a POL area with 13 large and six medium tanks and a large number of possible 

horizontal POL tanks. 

o Area V contains two bivouac areas, two administration buildings, 15 barracks, six combined barracks 

and quarters, 19 quarters, one storage buildings, four vehicle parks with five vehicle sheds, one 

vehicle maintenance building, 28 support buildings and two athletic fields. 

o Area VI is a bivouac area with approximately eight support buildings. 

o Area VII contains one administration building, three barracks, three storage buildings, a vehicle park 

with three vehicle sheds, a vehicle maintenance building and two support buildings. This area is 

probably a support area for the range area located immediately north. 

o There are four probable explosives storage areas with a total of 31 buildings and two general storage 

areas with a total of 29 storage buildings, three probable storage buildings, three possible storage 

buildings and three support buildings located in the overall area. 

o The training facilities are seven small-arms firing ranges, five athletic fields, a tracked-vehicle drivertraining area, a probable wheeled vehicle driver-training area, 10 tank and assault gun firing ranges, 

three areas of artillery training, a combined-arms field training course, a probable wheeled-vehiclemounted automatic-weapons firing range and four unidentified training facilities. 

Document V-481. Probable Explosives Storage Area, Kirzhach, Vladimirskaya Oblast, USSR, 

Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1965.

The 560-acre installation contains one administration building, a possible combined barracks and 

administration building, 10 barracks, 24 quarters, 34 probable explosives storage buildings, two arch-roofed 

buildings, one vehicle shed, one vehicle maintenance building, 11 support buildings, an athletic field and two 

clearings.

Document V-482. Dorogobuzh Army Training Area, Dorogobuzh, Smolenskaya Oblast, USSR, 

Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1965.

The 40-000-acre installation contains a bivouac area with one administration building and 23 support 

buildings. A probable ammunition storage area contains eight buildings, three vehicle parks and a possible 

vehicle park with a total of six vehicle sheds. Training facilities include three athletic fields, two small-arms 

firing ranges, a tracked-vehicle driver-training course, two tank and assault gun firing ranges, two field 

artillery training areas, a probable combined-arms training course, a possible infantry-training area, two 

probable engineering water crossings, an impact area and an unidentified training facility.

Document V-483. Kosterevo Training Area Boldino, Kosterevo, Vladimirskaya Oblast, USSR, 

Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1965.

The 30,700-acre installation contains three administration buildings, one probable administration building, five 

barracks, three probable barracks, six combined barracks and administration buildings, three combined 

barracks and quarters, 34 combined officers and dependents quarters, seven bivouac areas, 55 storage 

buildings, 92 support buildings, 20 ammunition storage buildings, one vehicle maintenance building, three 

probable equipment maintenance buildings and a possible prison. There are four vertical POL storage tanks, 

approximately 22 horizontal POL storage tanks, seven small-arms firing ranges, an athletic field and 

approximately 558 AAA positions.

Document V-484. Balki Ammunition Depot, North-Northwest, Volki, Gorkovskaya Oblast, USSR, 

Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation Report, NPIC, July 1965.

The 1,450-acre installation contains a secured storage area and a support area. The storage area contains 64 

ammunition storage buildings, two long transshipment buildings and five support buildings. The support area 

contains an administration building, seven barracks, six probable quarters, four probable storage buildings, 26 

support buildings and an athletic field.
Document V-485. Tula Training Area Kostrovo, Tula, USSR, Moscow MD, Photographic Interpretation 

Report, NPIC, July 1965.

The 4,400-acre installation contains a large bivouac area with an administration building, 34 quarters and 163 

support buildings. Two secured storage areas contain seven storage and two support buildings. A secured 

ammunition storage area contains three revetted buildings and two support buildings. The training facilities 

include three athletic fields, seven small-arms firing ranges with three support buildings, an artillery battery, an 

infantry field-training area and a probable infantry field-training area, seven support buildings, a possible 

mortar training area, two subcaliber weapons moving-target firing ranges with seven range-support buildings, 

and a possible jump tower with an associated support building, Also located in the training area are three other 

range support buildings, two combined barracks and administration buildings, two support buildings, a secured 

area with three support buildings and a large U-shaped revetment area.

29 Soviet Minister of Defense, Marshal Malinovskiy implicitly endorsed the continuing need for the kind of forces espoused by 

General Gorbatov in a 1962 Top Secret Military Thought article, see Document III-35, "Some Thoughts on the Development of 

the Soviet Army Tank Troops," by Marshal of the Soviet Union R. Malinovskiy.

30 See Document II-51 for text of this document.

31 See Document III-11 for a 1964 Military Thought article on the value of the Field Service Regulations by Marshal Chuykov, 

"The New Field Service Regulations of the Armed Forces of the USSR."

32 See Document V-18, A Study of the Soviet Ground Forces.

33 The CIA/DI Office of Strategic Research (OSR) was established in July 1967.

34 SCUD is the name given by NATO to the short range surface-to-surface ballistic missile that travels 150-300 n.m.

35 MECZD is a military abbreviation for "mechanized."

36 The term "FROG" appears in the text of this document. It is the acronym for "Free Rocket Over Ground," a large unguided 

missile.

37 NSWP is the abbreviation for "Non-Soviet Warsaw Pact."

38 See Document V-20, Capabilities of Soviet General Purpose Forces, NIE 11-14-65.

39 AAA is a military acronym for Anti-Aircraft Artillery.

40 SP is a military abbreviation generally for "self-propelled" artillery.

↑ BACK TO CHAPTER 5

TURMOIL IN THE SOVIET SPHERE (1962–68)
The documents selected for this period range in content from political analysis of Khrushchev's ouster and the 

early policies of the Brezhnev-Kosygin team to an end-of-decade look back at the accomplishments and style 

of Brezhnev's leadership. They include the coverage in clandestine reporting and finished intelligence of the 

growing restlessness of the NSWP members toward the dominance of the Soviet Union over all aspects of the 

Warsaw Pact, their continued resistance to a unified command for Warsaw Pact forces, and their reactions to 

the 20 August 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia and to the declaration of the Brezhnev Doctrine. These 

documents also address Soviet war planning for the Warsaw Pact against NATO and the organization of the 

invasion force to overthrow the "Prague Spring" reformers of Czechoslovakia in 1968.

Document VI-1. "Increasing Strain in Albanian Relations with Moscow and the European Satellites", 

CIA/DI/FBIS Radio Propaganda Report, 5 May 1961.

The report documents signs of deteriorating relations between Albania and other members of the European 

communist bloc since the February 1961 Albanian Party Congress during which Albania's defiance of Moscow 

was underscored. The report also lays out the strong Albanian ties to China and the efforts of the European 

communist parties to isolate Albania.

Document VI-2. "The Most Urgent Problems of Training Command Personnel and of Increasing the Combat 

Readiness of Border Military District Staffs", by Maj. Gen. A. Klyukanov, top secret special collection of 

Military Thought issue No. 1, 13 January 1961, CIA/DP Clandestine Report Special Collection, 27 December 

1961.

The article describes challenges for mobilization and reinforcement in the forward area by Warsaw Pact forces. 

Document VI-3. "Factors in the Fall of Khrushchev and the Behavior of the New Soviet Regime", 

CIA/DI/FBIS Radio Propaganda Report, 22 October 1964.

The report covers the history of Khrushchev's rise to power, the policies that brought him to power, and those 

that were controversial throughout his tenure. It reviews the Pravda report of the attack of the new regime on 

Khrushchev's "commandism", "personality cult", and decisions reflecting his use, or misuse, of power and 

radical policies. It also examines the issues that the new regime believed needed to be addressed, including a 

retrenchment in resource allocations and a modified approach toward the Chinese and other parties in the bloc. 

Document VI-4. New Look in Satellite Armies, CIA/DI/OCI Special Report, 30 October 1964.

The report describes the evidence about equipment and organizational developments in the Warsaw Pact 

armed forces that indicated a major upgrading of their capabilities was under way.

Document VI-5. The Soviet Political Scene, CIA/DI/OCI Intelligence Memorandum, 31 December 1964.

The memorandum reviews the reasons for Khrushchev's ouster and some of the problems the new leadership 

faced, including the status of the military and KGB and the prospects for the creative intellectuals.

Document VI-6. "The First Year after Khrushchev: Soviet Leadership Politics and Policy Issues", 

CIA/DI/FBIS Radio Propaganda Report, 1 March 1967.

The report describes the issues left over from Khrushchev that the new regime faced including partygovernment tensions, economic priorities and resource allocations, the military doctrine debate, and the 

implications of the Vietnam War on that doctrine.

Document VI-7. Warsaw Pact Military Strategy: A Compromise in Soviet Strategic Thinking, 

CIA/DI/SRS Caesar XXVI, 7 June 1965.
This paper describes the understanding in 1965 of the development of Soviet doctrine for war with NATO in 

Europe with an emphasis on the role of ground forces, particularly the use of East European forces.

Document VI-8. Soviet Military-Political Relations Six Months after Khrushchev, CIA/DI/ORR 

Intelligence Memorandum, June 1965.

This is the first in a series of memoranda assessing the status of military issues that were being debated during 

the Khrushchev era. It addresses how the new regime might resolve the issues of the size and role of ground 

forces, the role of the military in making policy and the military share of national resources.

Document VI-9. Rumania and the Warsaw Pact, CIA/DI/ONE Staff Memorandum, 25 June 1965.

The memorandum discusses the evidence of Romania's growing interest in altering its relations with the 

Warsaw Pact.

Document VI-10. The Warsaw Pact under Internal Strains, CIA/DI/OCI Special Report, 24 September 

1965.

The report reviews various problems Romania, Bulgaria, Poland and Hungary had with the Warsaw Pact that 

had become evident to the West and their impact on the effectiveness of the Warsaw Pact.

Document VI-11. The Military Issue in Soviet Policy during 1965, CIA/DI/ORR Intelligence 

Memorandum, February 1966.

This is the second in a series of three memoranda assessing Soviet military policy and strategy after the ouster 

of Khrushchev. The paper describes dramatic changes in Soviet policy in 1965: a halt in reductions in Soviet 

ground and tactical air forces; new, larger military budgets; and a new economic plan that would make a heavy 

military drain on national resources.

Document VI-12. Soviet Military Theorists Reappraise Nuclear War, CIA/DI/ORR, Intelligence 

Memorandum, September 1966.

This is the third in a series of three memoranda assessing the status of the military following Khrushchev's 

removal. The paper presents the evidence from Soviet military writings of a new debate reappraising nuclear 

war.

Document VI-13. The Warsaw Pact: Its Role in Soviet Bloc Affairs from Its Origin to the Present 

Day, CIA/DI/OCI Study for the Jackson Subcommittee, 6 May 1966. There is no evidence the study had 

further external dissemination.

The document includes a memorandum conveying the study to the DDI for forwarding to the subcommittee. It 

was produced in response to a request made in 1965. The report examines in detail the changing role of the 

Warsaw Pact from its origin in 1955 to mid 1966. In the view of the authors, the Warsaw Pact was initially 

intended primarily to provide Russia's post-Stalin leadership with a less obvious mechanism for maintaining 

Soviet armed forces in Eastern Europe. In 1966 the authors maintain that the Pact is one of the few remaining 

effective political devices available to Moscow for holding the bloc together in the face of rising national selfinterest in Eastern Europe. The document includes charts of organizational structure and personnel strength. It 

also includes a comparison of the Pact and NATO treaties.

Document VI-14. Concerning Experiences and Conclusions from the "Narew" Maneuver, CIA/DP 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 20 January 1967 [DOI, July 1965].

This document is one of the more important clandestinely obtained documents of the 1960s. It provides 

information on wartime organization of the Warsaw Pact. The article is one of the primary documents CIA 

military analysts used in their analysis of Soviet and Warsaw Pact war planning.
Document VI-15. Strains in Soviet-East German Relations 1962-1967, CIA/DI/SRS Caesar Series 

Intelligence Memorandum, 14 February 1967.

This paper discusses the adverse effect on Soviet–East German relations resulting from the improvement in 

Soviet–West German relations following the West German election of Willi Brandt in October 1969 and the 

initiation of Brandt's new policy toward the East.

Document VI-16. Czech Report to Warsaw Pact Members on NATO Combat Capabilities and 

Intentions, CIA/DP Intelligence Information Special Report, 24 February 1967 [DOI, mid-November 1966].

The report [a translation of a Russian-language Warsaw Pact document classified secret] contains information 

presented at the annual meeting of Warsaw Pact military intelligence services held in East Berlin. The 

document discusses NATO combat capabilities and intentions in the Central European Theater of Operations. 

It was based on the NATO Fallex exercises and discusses the tactical and strategic strengths and weaknesses of 

the West in detail. It was intended to provide the Warsaw Pact with a basis for examining intelligence 

coordination and exchanges among the Warsaw Pact armed forces. Although heavily laden with propaganda, 

the document reveals how the Warsaw Pact members portrayed NATO and what that meant in the event 

hostilities broke out on the continent.

Document VI-17. "Debate over Role of Military in New Soviet Command Structure", CIA/DI/FBIS, Special 

Report on Communist Propaganda, 12 May 1967.

The report examines evidence from the mid-1960s indicating the Soviets were in the process of creating new 

institutions for national security. The military press carried a debate on the role of the military leadership and 

how it would be represented in the new command structure. The articles came against the background of 

persistent military-political tensions since the beginning of 1965 over the general question of the respective 

roles of the military and political leaders in the determination of national security issues.

Document VI-18. Soviet Military Policy in 1967: The Challenges and the Issues, CIA/DI/ORR 

Intelligence Memorandum, June 1967.

The memorandum describes the changes in the Soviet strategic situation over the previous year brought about 

in part by the growth of the country's offensive and defensive strategic forces that were raising new questions 

for Soviet military policy. Specifically, the memorandum portrays the maturing of Soviet nuclear-missile 

forces to where the Soviet leadership would need to make decisions on what kinds of additional military power 

it required, how to improve the efficiency of its management of military power, and how to translate its power 

into effective political influence in world affairs. It describes the actions the Soviets had been taking that could 

affect future Soviet military policy decisions, the dependence of those decisions on expert technical knowledge 

and the impact of the resulting influence of experts with technical knowledge on continuing dominance of 

political considerations in military policy decision-making.

Document VI-19. Policy and Politics in the CPSU Politburo: October 1964 to September 1967, 

CIA/DI/ONE Caesar XXX, 31 August 1967.

This is an analysis of the underlying motives and reasons for policy decisions during the first three years of the 

Brezhnev-Kosygin collective leadership and the impact of the decisions on the Warsaw Pact and its relations 

with the United States and NATO.

Document VI-20. Military Aspects of Rumania's Independent Policy within the Warsaw Pact, 

CIA/DI/OSR, Intelligence Memorandum, August 1967.

The memorandum reviews the history of Romania's movement away from participation in the Warsaw Pact. 

The author judges that, despite the objections of Romania to some Warsaw Pact policies, it was unlikely to 

abandon its membership but would insist that decisions about its armed forces would be made by the 

Romanian Government.
Document VI-21. Poland's Changing Position in the Communist World, CIA/DI/OCI, Current 

Intelligence Weekly Special Report, 12 January 1968 [DOI, before November 1967].

The report traces the history of changes in Polish circumstances after 1956, including its retreat from domestic 

innovations instituted at that time and the change in the status of Gomulka. The analyst judged Gomulka's 

goals were being met because Poland was more secure and influential in the communist and Western worlds.

Document VI-22. Operational Plan for an Attack on NATO Forces in Northern Europe by the Missile 

and Artillery Forces of the Polish Maritime Front, CIA/DP Intelligence Information Special Report, 11 

March 1968 [DOI, before November 1967].

The documents consist of a chart titled, "Plan for the Use of the Missile Forces and the Artillery of the 

Maritime Front", a schematic diagram of the North Sea coastal area and eight accompanying tables. The chart 

describes the primary and secondary missions of the front, including the composition of the forces, the 

distribution of missiles and artillery for the missions, and plans for a first strike and for a first nuclear strike. 

The information was probably developed for or during a war game that notionally involved the Maritime front

of the Warsaw Pact force facing NATO in the central region of Europe.

Document VI-22a. Memorandum for DCI from Director of Plans, disseminated 11 March 1968.

The memorandum transmits the Clandestine Intelligence Information Report, explaining that the material 

outlines a Polish operational plan for an attack on NATO forces stationed in northern Belgium, the

Netherlands and West Germany.

Document VI-23. "Soviet Propaganda on the Warsaw Pact: New Stress on the Importance of Socialist Unity", 

CIA/DI/FBIS Special Report on Communist Propaganda, July 1968.

The report was written one month before the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia and covers propaganda 

during the "Prague Spring" and the lead-up to the invasion. It compares the propaganda with past Soviet 

treatments of Warsaw Pact anniversaries, meetings, and maneuvers and discusses the importance in Soviet 

propaganda of the need to boost socialist unity against the threat of ideological subversion from the West.

Document VI-24. Public Warning Indicators of the Soviet Decision to Invade Czechoslovakia a 

Retrospective Review, CIA/DI/FBIS, Special Memorandum, November 1980.

Although the memorandum was not written until 1980, it is included here to provide the reader an overview of 

the open-press treatment of the Czech Crisis. The document covers the period March–August 1968. An annex 

contains the Warning Statements, Justification for the Intervention, and the Brezhnev Doctrine.

Document VI-25. Soviet Military Policy in 1968: Problems and Prospects, CIA/DI/OSR, Intelligence 

Memorandum, April 1968.

This memorandum contains an analysis of the economic burdens caused by the expansion of the Soviet 

military.

Document VI-26. Czechoslovakia in Transition, CIA/DI/OCI, Intelligence Memorandum, 23 April 1968.

The paper was written after Alexander Dubcek's party had taken over the government from Antonin Novotny. 

It describes the difficulties that Dubcek faced in bringing about a change internally and in Czech relations with 

Moscow. The paper predicts that the differences between Moscow and Prague in interpreting their relations 

were likely to cause problems.

Document VI-27. Memorandum to Holders of NIE 11-14-67, Soviet and East European General Purpose 

Forces, CIA/DI/ONE, 9 May 1968.

The document contains the reassessments of the reinforcement capabilities of Soviet ground forces from the 

special CIA/DIA joint study.
Document VI-28. "Conclusions Drawn from a Tactical Exercise of an Operational-Tactical Missile Brigade 

Conducted by the Rocket and Artillery Troops Command of the Pomeranian Military District", Military 

Thought [Poland quarterly] issue No.3, 1967, CIA/DP, Intelligence Information Special Report, 22 May 1968.

The article is about the lessons learned from the exercise, including the need for better communications 

equipment, training under field combat conditions to shorten the time to achieve combat readiness, more 

effective use of data transmission systems, better camouflage and improved reconnoitering.

Document VI-29. Warsaw Pact War Plan for Central Region of Europe, CIA DI/OSR, Intelligence 

Memorandum, June 1968.

This report describes Soviet war planning for a Warsaw Pact invasion of Central Europe. It differs from the 

previous plan by assigning the initial offensive missions to the forces already deployed in East Germany, 

Czechoslovakia, and Poland. Other differences include giving the Czechs and Poles command over their 

national forces and moving Soviet forces from the western part of the USSR into the Central Region to take 

over the offensive against NATO, but only after the initial objectives had been gained by the forces deployed 

normally in peacetime in Czechoslovakia, East Germany, and Poland.

Document VI-30. "Experiences from the 'Rajd' Exercise Conducted by the Warsaw Military District Staff", 

Military Thought [Poland], issue No. 2, in the spring of 1967, CIA/DP, Intelligence Information Special 

Report, 18 June 1968.

The article provides details about a training exercise in June 1966 involving the movement of a short-range 

ballistic missile [(Scud] brigade to a forward launch site. The article reveals there was confusion in the 

departure from garrison, inadequate command and communications, poor security and antiaircraft cover, 

significant breakdown of equipment, and other deficiencies. The article concludes with recommendations.

Document VI-31. The Crisis in Czechoslovakia, CIA/DI/ONE Memorandum for the Director, 12 July 

1968.

The memorandum is a warning document about the deterioration of the Czech situation, including the moving 

of Soviet military troops into the country, establishing Soviet General Staff communications links, and 

beaming Soviet propaganda to Czechoslovakia. The author judges the heightened pressure constituted a 

demand for the Czech leadership to halt or reverse the situation.

Document VI-32. The Czechoslovakia-Soviet Struggle, CIA/DI/ONE Intelligence Memorandum, 12 July 

1968.

The memorandum describes the situation one month before the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia and 

prospects for invasion.

Document VI-33. "The I Aleksandrov Article in Pravda: Inception of a New Stage in Pressure on 

Czechoslovakia", CIA/DI/FBIS Special Report on Communist Propaganda, 18 July 1968.

This is an analysis of the authoritative Pravda article that increased the propaganda pressure on 

Czechoslovakia and provided CIA military analysts with an "early warning" of the 20 August 1968 SovietWarsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia.

Document VI-34. Polish Critique of the 'Lato-67' Command Post Exercise, CIA/DO, Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 7 July 1967 [DOI, 27 May–6 June 1967]. The report was disseminated in two 

documents.

The report is a translation of an official Polish Ministry of Defense critique of the exercise. The critique 

describes the exercise as an unopposed, large-scale, multilevel and multistage "skeleton exercise" of the higher 

staffs and commands of five Warsaw Pact armies. Its goals were the examination of problems created by the 

probable outbreak of a military conflict in Europe. To begin, the exercise assumed hostilities had broken out in 
Europe on a limited scale involving conventional weapons and developed into nuclear warfare. The exercise 

was considered successful in uniting the defenses of Polish, East German, and Soviet armies and their 

readiness for combined actions. It revealed, however, that many elements at the district levels were not well 

integrated or capable of efficiently accomplishing their assigned combat missions. Other shortcomings 

included unskilled use of nuclear weapons, inadequate exploitation and evaluation of incoming information, 

ineffective antiaircraft support, unsatisfactory air command and airport mobility, an overestimation of enemy 

capabilities, failure to standardize basic military documents, and a continuing language barrier.

Document VI-34a. "Composition of Opposing Sides and Relation of Forces", CIA/DO, Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 19 July 1968 [DOI, summer 1967].

The document is a translation of four charts from a Polish document, Polish Critique of the "Lato-67" 

Command Post Exercise [Document VI-34]. It contains the charts used in the critique including data 

pertaining to the TO&Es of divisional units of the Polish, East German, and Soviet ground forces divisions.

Document VI-35. Conclusions and Experiences from the "Jesien" (Autumn) Integrated Maneuvers, 

CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Special Report, 8 August 1968 [DOI, autumn 1966].

The document is a translation of a secret critique prepared by the Polish General Staff in the Ministry of 

National Defense. It reports on the integrated, multilevel maneuvers conducted by the Polish armed forces in 

Poland during September–October 1966. The maneuvers were designed to give a full picture of the functioning 

of the commands and forces of the Polish military system as a whole. The report included a scenario in which 

Western forces provoked a crisis under the pretext of expanding their rights in West Berlin and planning an 

invasion of East Germany.

Document VI-36. Military Developments in the Soviet-Czech Confrontation, CIA/DI/OSR, Intelligence 

Memorandum, 2 August 1968.

The memorandum describes the military situation just before the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia. It 

reports that the scale of mobilization and movement of Soviet forces facing Czechoslovakia was greater than at 

any time after WW II and states the forces were probably prepared to invade Czechoslovakia once given the 

order to do so.41

Document VI-37. The Soviet Military Stance Opposite Rumania, CIA/DI/OSR, Intelligence 

Memorandum, October 1968.

This memorandum addresses the Soviet preparations opposite Romania in case there were problems following 

the Czech invasion.42

Document VI-38. Rumania Adjusts Its Independent Course, CIA/DI/OCI Intelligence Memorandum, 30 

October 1968.

The memorandum describes Romania's assertive path against the Warsaw Pact, which it had resumed 

following the invasion of Czechoslovakia. The analyst judges Romania was speaking out again to ensure that 

neither its neighbors nor its populace would conclude it had abandoned its independent course.

Document VI-39. Gorbachev Renounces Brezhnev Doctrine during Yugoslav Visit, CIA/FBIS Trends, 

April 1988.

The article provides historical background about the Brezhnev Doctrine.

Document VI-40. "Exercise Autumn Sky", [Poland] secret, Military Thought, issue No. 4, CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 31 December 1968 [DOI, December 1967].

The article reviews an exercise that took place in September 1966 involving movement of an air army and its 
commitment to defend ground forces deployments. It provides little information on actual events of the 

exercise but identifies problem areas and makes recommendations for improving air army exercises.

Document VI-41. Soviet Exports of Military Hardware to Eastern Europe, CIA/DI/OER Intelligence 

Memorandum, July 1969.

The memorandum provides dollar value estimates of Soviet shipments of military hardware to East European 

countries. According to the analysis, the amount of equipment had dropped to about three-quarters of what it 

was in 1964. The analysts judge this was because the shipment of equipment to East European forces began in 

1959 and was probably completed by 1964. East European production then was able to satisfy a larger share of 

requirements for most types of military equipment.

Document VI-42. Contribution to NIE 11-14-69, Soviet and East European General Purpose Forces, 

Part II, Ground and Air Forces, CIA/DI/OSR, 1 September 1969.

The contribution examines Soviet tactical air forces with brief sections on tactical missiles and air defenses. 

Part I of the contribution discussed naval issues, which were not a subject of the NIE.

Document VI-43. Warsaw Pact Ground Forces Facing NATO, CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence Report, 

September 1969.

This report was perhaps the most important analysis on this subject at this time. It is a comprehensive 

reassessment of the capabilities and status of the Soviet Ground Forces. It describes the state of information 

and analysis of those forces as of September 1969. [See V-61 for text of this document.]

Document VI-44. Operational Training and Ground Attack Proficiency of Soviet Tactical Fighter 

Units, CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence Report, October 1969.

The report examines combat training in Soviet tactical fighter elements, including the amount and nature of 

training and the distribution of training emphasis between primary and secondary missions. It also summarizes 

the available information on Soviet standards of combat proficiency in ground support operations. Finally the 

analyst judges that both standards and performance were below those of comparable US forces.

Document VI-45. Leonid Brezhnev: The Man and His Power, CIA/DI/SRS Caesar Series, 5 December 

1969.

This paper presents a comprehensive review of Brezhnev's political goals and his method of manipulating the 

Soviet leadership to achieve those goals.

Document VI-46. Brezhnev's Struggle for Dominance, CIA/DI/SRS Annex to Caesar, 5 December 1969.

This is additional analysis of Brezhnev's policy goals and his mode of operation.

Document VI-47. Czechoslovakia: The Problem of Soviet Control, CIA/DI/SRS Esau XLIV Intelligence 

Memorandum, 16 January 1970.

The memorandum provides analysis of the Soviet loss of political control over Czechoslovakia and how it was 

restored. The analyst judges the Soviet leadership emerged from the crisis as fallible in its tactics, certain in its 

objectives, and unrelenting in pursuit of them. It concludes Moscow paid less of a political price than it 

expected from its actions to bring the situation under control.

Document VI-48. "Theory and Practice of Warsaw Pact Operations: Part I: Soviet-Czechoslovak Operational 

Doctrine, Directives and Tactics", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Report, 22 May 1972 [DOI, mid-1969].

The source provides general information about the processes of approval and amendment of Soviet-Czech 

operational directives. The reporting also provides information about Czech operational doctrine, command 
and control, offensive and defensive operations, airborne operations, and order of march, as it was stated in 

operational directives.

Document VI-49. "Theory and Practice of Warsaw Pact Operations: Part II: Organization and Operational 

Intent in the West European Theater of War", CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Report, 27 June 1972 [DOI, 

1961-mid 1970].

The source provides information about the organization of the Warsaw Pact headquarters in Moscow before 

and after its reorganization in 1969. It also covers the preparation of operational intent statements and 

operational plans by front operations staffs. The source also provides information about the Soviet concept of 

war with NATO, Warsaw Pact operational plans, and the view of Warsaw Pact planners of the strengths and 

weaknesses of NATO and Warsaw Pact forces.

Document VI-50. "Theory and Practice of Warsaw Pact Operations, Part III: Variant of the Warsaw Pact's 

Operational Intent for the Southwestern Front", CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Report, 18 July 1972 [DOI, 

August 1968].

The source reconstructs the day-by-day progress of the Southwestern Front in an attack against NATO forces 

in West Germany. The reconstruction was a simulated Southwestern Front operations order created by the 

source to illustrate the essential features of that front's war plans in one of the six variants to the operational 

intent of Warsaw Pact Main Headquarters.

41 See Document V-57, Soviet Capabilities to Reinforce in Central Europe: Equipment Levels in Soviet Combat-Ready Divisions.

42 See Document V-55, Soviet and East European General Purpose Forces, pages 3-4, for a discussion of how likely it was the 

Soviets would rely on their Warsaw Pact allies in crises following the invasion of Czechoslovakia.

↑ BACK TO CHAPTER 6

CLANDESTINE REPORTING, ANALYSIS AND ESTIMATES 

(1970–85)

The large selection of clandestine reporting and CIA finished intelligence contained in this chapter reflects the 

much increased success of clandestine operations during this period as well as the increased sophistication of 

all-source analysis and the availability of high-resolution photography. The documents are grouped in general 

but overlapping categories such as war planning, ground forces, air forces, exercises, Soviet management of 

the non-Soviet Warsaw Pact forces, etc.

The first six documents, taken together, reflect the IC's successes during the 1960s in assembling the better 

evidence from clandestine and technical sources to assess the size of the Warsaw Pact's main combat forces 

and the nature of the Warsaw Pact's plans for war with NATO. NIE 11-14-1969 reflects IC understanding of 

the Warsaw Pact's general purpose forces at the beginning of the 1970s, and the NSC-related documents reflect 

the importance of the intelligence to the national security process. The first four documents illustrate how far 
the intelligence had advanced during the 1960s. The following two documents illustrate the state of 

intelligence on the Warsaw Pact's planning and capabilities in 1979. The rest of the documents chronicle the 

advances in the IC's understanding of the Warsaw Pact forces and plans from 1970 to 1985 or so.

Col. Ryszard Kuklinski, a Polish Staff officer, was perhaps the most important clandestine source for 

information on the Warsaw Pact. In 1973 he began supplying material that continued to flow years after he left 

Poland for the United States in 1981. The selection of clandestine reporting below reflects his efforts as well as 

those of many other sources.

o Documents about Soviet Planning for Warsaw Pact-NATO War in Europe

o Documents about Ground Forces

o Documents about Air Forces

o Documents about Formal Mechanisms to Manage the Warsaw Pact

o Documents about General Staff and Other Senior Military Academy Lectures and Manuals

o Documents about Warsaw Pact Exercises

THE VALUE OF COLONEL R. KUKLINSKI'S REPORTING

Colonel Kuklinski, a principal planning officer of the Polish General Staff, had access to much of the secret 

planning and documents of the Warsaw Pact military listing the ground forces' strengths. In addition to the 

classified Warsaw Pact documents, he was personally able to answer important questions relating to the intent 

of the Warsaw Pact planners. Through his various professional military training experiences in the USSR he 

had access to and passed classified Soviet military documents and other classified information to the United 

States. There were other good sources at that time, but Kuklinski was the most prolific military source of the 

era.*

*See A Secret Life, by Benjamin Weiser, published by Public Affairs, a member of the Perseus Books Group, 

2004.

Document VII-1. Soviet and East European General Purpose Forces, NIE 11-14-69, 4 December 1969.

This estimate represents the IC state of knowledge about the Warsaw Pact forces at the end of the 1960s, after 

new assessments of Soviet ground forces and the acquisition of new information following the Soviet-led 

invasion of Czechoslovakia. It describes the trend toward larger and more flexible general purpose forces, a 

result of the military buildup along the Sino-Soviet border and improved capabilities. The deployment, 

structure, readiness posture, and equipment reflected concern for both Central Europe and the Sino-Soviet 

border. The estimate reported the Soviet ground divisions in Eastern Europe and opposite China appeared to be 

ready for combat without further mobilization. Forces in Eastern Europe and some of those along the SinoSoviet border also had increased fire-support and lift capabilities available. Other forces supporting the Ground 

Forces had increased their strength and ability to carry out reconnaissance and detect and track aircraft at low 

altitudes, deliver a higher rate of air sorties, and defend against attacks at medium and high altitudes.

Document VII-1a. Memorandum for Henry Kissinger, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, 

from DCI Helms , transmitting, Soviet and East European General Purpose Forces, NIE 11-14-69, 

CIA/DCI, 12 December 1969.

DCI Helms describes the progress the IC made during 1969 on assessing Soviet Ground Forces through new 

evidence and in-depth analysis. These, he said, enabled assessments in some detail of the advantages and 

disadvantages of Soviet divisions in East Germany, Soviet antisubmarine capabilities, and the impact of the 

Soviet buildup along the Sino-Soviet border on Soviet capabilities vis-à -vis Europe. He also noted some 
answers required net evaluations of Western and Warsaw Pact forces and equipment, a comparison that was 

not the province of National Intelligence Estimates.

Document VII-2. The Warsaw Pact Threat to NATO, Interagency Working Group 5 for National Security 

Study Memorandum 84, May 1970.

The Working Group issued its first report on this subject in February 1970, and this document is the final one. 

Parts I and II are devoted primarily to the capabilities and composition of the Warsaw Pact. Part III considers 

contingencies in which the Warsaw Pact might use force, and Part IV estimates Warsaw Pact military reactions 

to alternative US-NATO force structures and strategies. This was the first comprehensive attempt to prepare 

the basis for the proposed Mutual and Balanced Force Reduction [MBFR] talks. It galvanized the IC to begin 

assembling the information necessary for NATO and the Warsaw Pact to carry out mutual and balanced 

reductions in forces and weapons.

Document VII-3. Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions between NATO and the Warsaw Pact, 

CIA/National Security Council, 26 August 1970.

This NSC document reflects the official views of the IC on Warsaw Pact forces and includes the conclusions 

contained in Documents VII-1 and VII-2. It presents the pros and cons of an agreement to reduce forces and 

the history leading to the approach to the MBFR talks in the 1970s. It attempts to define the balance of forces 

in the Central Region on the basis of intelligence assessments of Warsaw Pact forces and lists of NATO forces. 

It describes the balance as "highly uncertain." Later analysis would find the balance, as presented, faulty for 

both blocs. The paper does, however, reflect the state of information and analysis available at the beginning of 

the 1970s.

Document VII-4. Warsaw Pact Forces Opposite NATO, NIE 11-14-79, Volume I, Summary Estimate, 

CIA/NFAC,43 31 January 1979.

This was the first comprehensive estimate of the Warsaw Pact forces opposite NATO after 1971. It benefited 

from the major qualitative and quantitative improvements in collection and analysis during the 1970s. The 

estimate addresses ground forces, air and air defense forces, naval forces, Soviet ballistic missile forces for 

peripheral attack, and military support functions. It also discusses Warsaw Pact policy, doctrine and strategy 

for theater warfare. 

Document VII-5. Warsaw Pact Forces Opposite NATO, NIE 11-14-79, Volume II, the Estimate, 

CIA/NFAC, 31 January 1979.

This volume of NIE 11-14-79 contains a more detailed discussion of the issues contained in Volume I.

↑ BACK TO CHAPTER 7

DOCUMENTS ABOUT SOVIET PLANNING FOR WAR WITH NATO IN EUROPE

During the 1970s, the IC learned much more about Soviet–Warsaw Pact war plans and war planning. It 

collected enough intelligence information from clandestine and technical sources in the 1960s to reconstruct 

the main features of the Soviet plans for conflict with NATO in the central region of Europe. As the decade 

wore on, and especially after Colonel Kuklinsky began reporting, the IC gained more details about planning 

for offensive operations into Western Europe. Provided below are related Clandestine Services intelligence 

information reports and finished intelligence derived from them. The first one is representative of the doctrinal 

information available at the beginning of the 1970s.

Document VII-6. "Principles of a Modern Offensive Operation of a Front", by Soviet Col. Gen. Glebov, 

CIA/DP Intelligence Information Report, 1 October 1970 [DOI, early 1970].
The article, published in Polish, may have been from a classified Soviet edition of Military Thought. Glebov 

addresses Soviet military doctrine as it was undergoing scrutiny for change. He addresses the questions of 

whether, when, and how theater nuclear weapons would be used in a war in Europe or for intercontinental 

attack.

Document VII-7. Warsaw Pact Lectures on Strategy for War in Europe, CIA/DP Intelligence Information 

Report, 23 December 1970 [DOI, before June 1970].

This reporting appears to be taken from classified lecture notes. It addresses the preparation for and conducting 

strategic theater war operations, including the employment of various kinds of forces. It describes staff 

assignments at front and army levels. It provides information on NATO and Warsaw Pact forces during 

offensive operations and related intelligence organization and collection. It includes specific data on numbers 

of units and weapons planned for employment by Warsaw Pact forces and, in general, their missions in both 

conventional and nuclear war.

Document VII-8. Warsaw Pact Mobilization and Reinforcement, National Security Council Interagency 

Team on Mobilization and Reinforcement of the Verification Panel Working Group for MBFR, February 

1971.

The paper assesses the organization, operation, and size of a Soviet and East European mobilization and 

reinforcement in anticipation of imminent hostilities against the Central Region of NATO.

Document VII-9. Blue Streak Intelligence on Warsaw Pact Exercises, Plans, Organization and 

Concepts of War in Central Europe, National Security Council Memorandum for Dr. Kissinger 20 April 

1971.

The memorandum describes a CIA series of CIA/NCS Intelligence Information Reports on Warsaw Pact

exercises and concepts for war.

Document VII-10. Soviet Strategic Forces for Peripheral Strike, CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence Report, May 

1971.

The report discusses the evolution, capabilities, and future trends of peripheral-strike forces that would provide 

theater-strategic punch in any Soviet ground campaign against Western Europe or China.

Document VII-11. Soviet Concepts of War in Europe: Transition from Conventional to Nuclear 

Conflict, CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence Memorandum, May 1971.

The memorandum examines military theories on the evolution of a war with NATO. It reviews NATO and 

Soviet doctrines and analyzes Soviet concepts of the principal phases of such a conflict. The author gives 

particular attention to the Warsaw Pact concept for the transition from the conventional phase to the nuclear 

phase of a war in Europe and to Warsaw Pact evaluations about the intensity and scope of an initial nuclear 

strike.

Document VII-12. Blue Streak Intelligence on Warsaw Pact Exercises, Plans, Organization and 

Concepts of War in Central Europe, NSC Memorandum for Dr. Kissinger from K. Wayne Smith, 8 June 

1971.

The memorandum describes a series of CIA clandestine intelligence information reports on Warsaw Pact 

exercises and concepts for war.

Document VII-13. Soviet Concepts of War in Europe: Transition from Conventional to Nuclear 

Conflict, [Document VII-11] NSC Memorandum for Dr. Kissinger from K. Wayne Smith forwarding 

CIA/DI/OSR's responses to questions regarding its intelligence memorandum, 1 July 1971.

The author notes the new CIA study describes Soviet military thinking on war in Europe as depicted in official 
Warsaw Pact documents [Polish postmortem critiques of major Warsaw Pact exercises], lecture notes taken by 

Bloc officers at what was probably a Soviet course on strategy and doctrine, and articles from the Soviet 

classified journal, Military Thought.

Document VII-14. Warsaw Pact Forces for Operations in Eurasia, NIE 11-14-71, 9 September 1971.

The NIE describes the structure, weaponry, and doctrine of the Soviet armed forces. The IC judges the Soviets 

had successfully assimilated nuclear weapons and doctrine and improved the military effectiveness of their 

Warsaw Pact allies.

Document VII-15. Peacetime Posture of Warsaw Pact Ground Force Divisions Facing the NATO 

Central Region, CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence Report, May 1972.

The report presents the CIA analysis of the peacetime posture of Soviet divisions. It describes the different 

CIA and NATO categorization of the Soviet divisions, the three distinct manning levels of Soviet divisions, 

and the mobilization and availability of Warsaw Pact divisions for combat use.

Document VII-16. This number intentionally left blank.

Document VII-17. This number intentionally left blank.

Document VII-18. Warsaw Pact Buildup Capabilities, A Review of Work in Progress and Analysis to 

Date, CIA/DI/OSR, Special Project, October 1972.

The project was produced in response to a 25 September 1972 memorandum from Dr. Kissinger requesting 

more information on MBFR. The paper describes the research under way about various aspects of the Warsaw 

Pact buildup problem. Estimates of Soviet, Polish, East German and Czech planning and procedures for 

mobilizing and moving equipment to the central region of Europe are summarized and assessed. The report 

also characterizes how Warsaw Pact divisions could be ranked before and after mobilization.

Document VII-19. "Planning the Initial Front Offensive Operation", by Maj. Gen. N.I. Reut, Military 

Thought, secret issue No. 1, 1970, CIA/DP Intelligence Information Special Report, 1 February 1973.

The article discusses the view of other writers, who appeared previously in the journal, on this subject and 

presents the author's opinion. The author concludes Soviet troops must continue to be deployed for, and to base 

their operations on planning for, nuclear war. They also must have alternate plans and logistic support 

permitting the achievement of combat goals by conventional means.

Document VII-20. Sensitive New Information on Soviet War Planning and Warsaw Pact Force 

Strengths, CIA/DI/OSR memorandum for J. David Linebaugh, chief, Plans and Regional Affairs Division, IR, 

ACDA, from Bruce Clarke, Jr., director, Strategic Research, transmitting an appraisal of new intelligence 

bearing on MBFR, 10 August 1973.

The memorandum forwards an OSR analysis titled, A Soviet View of the Balance of Theater Forces in 

Central Europe and of the Ground Campaign against the NATO Center Region. The OSR document 

was a preliminary analysis of new intelligence from reports relating to Warsaw Pact exercise scenarios in 

counteroffensives against NATO in the central region of Europe. Detailed Warsaw Pact and NATO 

deployments and comparisons of NATO–Warsaw Pact force elements bearing on MBFR are included in the 

information.

Document VII-21. "The Transition From Conventional to Nuclear Warfare during an Offensive", by Col. A. 

Postovalov, Military Thought, secret issue No. 3, 1970, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 15 

June 1973.

The article is based on war games conducted by the Frunze Academy stressing the need to conduct 
conventional operations to provide the greatest advantages in the event of a transition to the use of nuclear 

weapons: for example, reconnaissance of targets for nuclear weapons and destroying the enemy's nuclear 

capability.

Document VII-22. "The Movement of Troops over Large Distances under Conditions of the Northeastern Part 

of the Middle Eastern Theater of Military Operations", by Lt. Col. V. Shcherbakov, Military Thought, secret 

issue No. 1, 1970, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 17 October 1973.

Shcherbakov summarizes the experience of exercises conducted in Soviet Central Asia to study the advance of 

troops from their garrisons to the southern border of the USSR. The author concludes troops should move 

under their own power and not rely on civil transportation. He recommends further study of the terrain in the 

theater with a view to building roads to allow an increased rate of advance to a possible combat zone.

Document VII-23. "Logistical Support of a Front Offensive Operation", by Maj. Gen. A. Muzychenko, 

Military Thought, secret issue No. 2, 1970, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 21 December 

1973.

Muzychenko conducts a thorough examination of logistic support of large-scale offensive operations in nuclear 

warfare. According to the study, the major distinction between support of large-scale operations in WW II and 

those in contemporary general warfare was the extensive mechanization of both combat units and rear services 

elements.

Document VII-24. "The Modern Theory of Tactics and Some of its Problems", by Maj. Gen. of Tank Troops 

P. Gudz, Military Thought, secret issue No. 2 1970, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 14 

January 1974.

Gudz attempts to cover the entire sphere of strategy and tactics on the contemporary battlefield. He 

characterizes modern combat, both nuclear and conventional, with definitions of standard terms in a modern 

context. New factors include increased speed of movement and greater ranges of fire.

Document VII-25. "Features of the Organization of the Commitment of an Army into an Engagement under 

Conditions in which Conventional Means of Destruction Are Employed", by Maj. Gen. I. Yakovlenko and Col. 

N. Aksenov, Military Thought, secret issue No. 3 1969, CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Special Report, 4 

February 1974.

The authors discuss the commitment of an army to an engagement during conventional warfare conditions, but 

with the constant threat of an enemy nuclear attack. They focus on the creation of army strike groupings and 

their timely advance to selected axes during the initial period of war.

Document VII-26. Warsaw Pact Plans and the Transition to a War Footing, CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence 

Report, March 1974.

The report describes the Warsaw Pact plan to mobilize within three days virtually the entire force with which it 

planned to fight a war in Europe. The plan was based on the Soviet experience in WW II and lessons learned 

from the military history of continental Europe. The report analyses the Warsaw Pact plans, systems, and 

mobilization exercises, and the analyst judges the alliance could assemble the majority of its forces within 

about three days. The paper also assesses that only those forces stationed in Eastern Europe would be ready 

and in position to enter combat by the third day. Formations in the USSR would complete mobilization within 

that period, but their entry into combat would be delayed and their initial combat effectiveness once mobilized 

probably would be low compared with that of a full-strength professional standing force.

Document VII-27. Polish Army Mobilization Periods and Executors, published in 1973 by the Polish 

Ministry of National Defense, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 11 March 1974.

The document is a translation of a "Secret of Special Importance" Polish document on mobilization. The 

document contains lists of units by subordination, type, location, and true unit designation and states when and 
by whom they were to be mobilized. Although all the units mentioned are Polish, it provides a documentary 

view of the mobilization scheme for one of the Warsaw Pact's three fronts facing NATO in the central region 

of Europe. The implications for the time phasing of the other two fronts seemed likely to be consistent by 

necessity.

Document VII-28. Evolution of Soviet Concepts and Forces for Nuclear War in Europe, CIA/DI/OSR, 

Intelligence Report, November 1974.

The report evaluates indications suggesting the Soviets were attempting a more flexible posture for nuclear 

contingencies for a war in Europe.

Document VII-28a. "Regarding the Intelligence Community Staff/Product Review Division's [PRD] Review 

of OSR Intelligence Report, Evolution of Soviet Concepts and Forces for Nuclear War in Europe", 

Memorandum for the DCI, 21 March 1975.

The PRD review highlights the importance of the clandestine reports to the CIA/OSR analysis in the paper.

Document VII-29. "On the Question of the Initial Period of a Modern War", by Col. Gen. M. Povally, 

Military Thought, secret issue No. 1 1967, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 8 July 1974.

Povally states the existing concept of the initial period of war had become archaic and bereft of all practical 

meaning. The author enthusiastically builds a theoretical case for a doctrine dividing war into "periods", 

leading to the full employment of all nuclear weapons of the two opposing sides. He paints a picture of the 

destruction following a strategic nuclear exchange and somehow skips to conventional forces, after "horrific" 

losses, successfully concluding the conflict. In all, he gives an interesting, if logically puzzling, presentation of 

war in the modern world. 

Document VII-30. "Certain Problems of the Planning and Conduct of Offensive Operations of Fronts", by 

Col. Gen. I. Glebov, Military Thought, secret issue No.3, 1967, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special 

Report, 20 August 1974.

Glebov posits several principles relating to the planning and conduct of offensive operations of fronts based on 

the experience acquired through the conduct of war games by the Military Academy of the General Staff in 

1964–65. The article includes a discussion of problems related to the development of one overall plan for a 

front offensive operation, plans for the use of nuclear weapons, the participation of the fronts in the first 

nuclear strike, and methods of destroying large enemy groupings.

Document VII-31. Critique of an Operational War Game on Maps Conducted on the Southwestern 

Axis, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 13 June 1975 [DOI, July 1970].

The document is a top secret publication of the Headquarters of the Combined Armed Forces of the Warsaw 

Pact. It presents the reports of the CINC and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces at the critique of a war game 

for senior Soviet, Bulgarian, and Hungarian command and staff officers on the conduct of combined operations 

using both conventional and nuclear weapons against NATO forces in Turkey, Greece, Austria, northern Italy, 

and adjacent waters. The report contains the scenario of the war game, the lessons learned, deficiencies, and 

the organization, dispositions and axes of action for both sides. The report includes 11 diagrams depicting the 

respective orders of battle, the situation at various phases, and the course of events.

Document VII-32. Flexibility in Soviet Offensive Concepts: The Roles of Armor and Other Ground 

Forces, CIA/DI/OSR Research Paper, July 1975.

The paper surveys the evolution of the basic types of units in the Soviet armored forces, how they are 

structured, and how they are to be used in the event of war. CIA produced it for the benefit of those engaged in 

the MBFR negotiations.
Document VII-33. Soviet Doctrine for Nuclear Strikes on Command and Communications Systems, 

CIA/DI/OSR Research Paper, December 1975.

The author reviews Soviet military writings from the late 1950s and finds the Soviets had consistently 

portrayed US and NATO command facilities as high-priority targets for nuclear attack, second only to nuclear 

forces. At the strategic level in the late 1960s, CIA Soviet military analysts gave priority to nuclear strikes 

against command and communications as US intercontinental and submarine-launched missile forces 

expanded. However, because of the difficulty in locating SSBNs and destroying silo-based ICBMs, some 

Soviet writers advocated increased attacks on control facilities to neutralize these forces. At the theater level, 

the Soviets appeared to have left open the possibility of intra-war bargaining. For example, the Soviets 

contemplated withholding attacks on national authorities in France and possibly other NATO countries.

Document VII-34. (1) Polish Peacetime and Wartime Troop Strengths, (2) Deployment of Polish 

Forces in Wartime, CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Special Report, 4 May 1976 [DOI, 1975].

The document provides details about wartime strengths and deployments of Polish forces as part of the total 

Warsaw Pact deployment for war with NATO. It also presents some important warning indicators in the event 

of impending Warsaw Pact hostilities against NATO.

Document VII-35. "Determining the Balance of Forces in Ground Forces Large Units in an Operation", by 

Maj. Gen. (retired) G. Perventsev and Engineer Maj. D. Sokolov, Military Thought, secret issue No. 1, 1968, 

CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Special Report, 12 August 1976.

The authors attempt to aggregate qualitative and quantitative indices of the combat potential of the Soviet 

forces and compare them with analogous indices of NATO forces by calculating coefficients of comparability.

Document VII-36. "Modern Requirements for the Field Service Regulations", by Col. Gen. of Tank Troops J. 

Nikitin, Military Thought, secret issue No. 2, 1969, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 8 

September 1976.

Nikitin reviews provisions of the 1963 Field Service Regulations for ground forces that, because of 

developments in modern weapons and combat equipment after its publication, required updating. The author 

cites specific chapters he believed needed major revisions.

Document VII-37. Soviet Concepts for Initial Military Operations against NATO in Central Europe, 

CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence Report, February 1977.

The paper addresses in detail the basis for the judgment in the NIE 11-14-75 that a Warsaw Pact offensive in 

Central Europe would not necessarily be preceded by a large-scale reinforcement from the USSR. The focus of

the paper is Soviet concepts for organizing and initially committing the Warsaw Pact ground armies in a 

general offensive against NATO in Central Europe, with particular attention paid to the question of Soviet 

intentions regarding the timing of reinforcement from the USSR.

Document VII-38. Memorandum forwarding The Stages of Soviet Military Readiness, CIA/DI/OSR 

Memorandum for Colonel William E. Odom, NSC Staff, from Philip Waggener, Acting Director, Office of 

Strategic Research, 15 March 1977.

The Director of OSR sent this paper in response to Odom's questions about Soviet military preparedness. 

Based mainly on previously published reports, the paper for the NSC Staff, nonetheless, presented several new 

judgments reflecting the receipt of new information from collectors and analysis. The memorandum describes 

the Soviet system alerts, the command and control system capabilities, and the time required to reach full alert 

status.
Documents VII-39 through VII-49 provide a wealth of evidence about overall Warsaw Pact strategy, command 

relationships, reinforcement, and movement for war against NATO in Western Europe. They are arrayed in the 

order in which events occurred, not by the date of dissemination.

Document VII-39. Polish Maps of Exercise "West-77", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 

16 June 1977 [DOI, May 1977].

The document describes information appearing on two Polish maps. Map 1 shows the wartime routes of march 

for the Belorussian and Carpathian Fronts of the Soviet Armed Forces to transit Poland for Exercise "West77". Map 2 shows the routes of march to be followed by the two units in exercise "West-77." Map 2 also 

shows the locations of Polish troop movements, control and command, the troops, and deployment areas for 

other participating units.

Document VII-40. Call Signs of Polish and Warsaw Pact Military Units for Exercise "Zapad [West]-

77", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 6 September 1977 [DOI, spring 1977].

The document provides rules for placing telephone calls through secure and high-frequency long-distance 

communications channels and lists the call signs and main Warsaw Pact force headquarters for the exercise.

Document VII-41. "Situation Report on Exercise 'Zapad [West]-77' on 10 June 1977 (Situation for the 

Operations Group of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces at 2000 on 10 June 1977)", CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 14 September 1977 [DOI, 10 June 1977]

The document provides the concluding scenario for the exercise Zapad [West]-77. It describes the general 

situation of the opposing sides at its conclusion, with both sides poised to initiate nuclear actions, including the 

specific situation of Polish forces and installations and actions in the Poland and supplementary reconnaissance 

data.

Document VII-42. "Background Scenario for Exercise Zapad [West]-77,'' CIA/DO Intelligence Information 

Special Report, 15 September 1977 [DOI, 31 May 1977].

The document provides the general background scenario for the 31 May 1977 exercise and the specific status 

and composition of the forces under Polish command and of the "Westerners."

Document VII-43. "Situation Report on Exercise Zapad [West]-77", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special 

Report, 15 September 1977 [DOI, 5 June 1977].

The document provides the midpoint scenario for this exercise. It describes the general situation on the third 

day of combat and the specific situation of the Polish forces.

Document VII-44. "Warsaw Pact Command Staff Exercise West -77", CIA/DO Intelligence Information 

Special Report, 21 September 1977 [DOI, 5 June 1977].

The document describes the participants and the initial scenario of the strategic command staff exercise, 

comparing the scenario with war plans for moving troops from the Belorussian and Carpathian Military 

Districts into Poland.

Document VII-45. "Critique of the Operational-Strategic Command-Staff Exercise, Zapad-77", CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 13 October 1978 [DOI, 1977].

The exercise was intended to test the establishment of a high command in the Western theater. The critique 

was contained in two comprehensive and candid reports that provided an indication of the level of proficiency 

of the commanders and staffs taking part in the exercise. The critique also provided information about the state 

of troop control and combat readiness in the Polish, Czech, East German, and Soviet military units allocated to 

the Combined Armed Forces in the theater.
Document VII-46. "Critique of Exercise, Zachod [West]-77 and Fala [Wave]-77", CIA/DO Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 8 November 1977 [DOI, June 1977].

The document is a comprehensive summary of the highlights and shortcomings of Polish participation in the 

two exercises.

Document VII-47. "Letter of Marshal Kulikov to Polish Ministry of National Defense Commenting on 

Exercise Zapad [West]-77, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 23 January 1978 [DOI, 30 

August 1977]

The letter outlines problems with mobilization, coordination, equipment, and preparations that became evident 

during the exercise and requested suggestions for resolving these problems.

Document VII-48. "Polish Response to Criticism of Polish Participation in Exercise, Fala [Wave]-77", by 

Soviet Marshal Kulikov, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 25 November 1977 [DOI, 

September 1977].

The document contains some information about then current and future means of military communications 

linking the East German, Polish and Soviet forces.

Document VII-49. "Bulgarian Request in connection with Exercise Soyuz [Alliance]-78, for Polish 

information on Exercise, Zapad [West]-7", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 17 November 

1977 [DOI, 3 August 1977].

The top secret letter from Col. Gen. Semerdzhiyev, chief of the General Staff of the Bulgarian People's Army, 

to Gen. Siwicki, chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, requests more details about how the 

exercise was conducted and about the problems that occurred during the exercise.

Document VII-50. Warsaw Pact Commentary on NATO Concepts for War in Central Europe, 

CIA/NFAC/OSR Intelligence Assessment, October 1977.

The paper reviews the various ways the Warsaw Pact commentaries viewed NATO concepts for war in Central 

Europe. For example, in the early 1960s Pact commentaries stressed a massive NATO nuclear offensive by 

strategic and theater forces at the start of fighting. Beginning in the mid-1960s, however, CIA analysts of the 

Warsaw Pact assessed, based on the commentaries, the Soviets expected that hostilities would commence with 

a massive nonnuclear air attack by NATO. The analysts did note that although the commentaries might reflect 

genuine concern over NATO, they appeared intended to propagandize the Pact's forces and justify continued 

Soviet control over Eastern Europe.

Document VII-51. The Balance of Nuclear Forces in Central Europe, CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence 

Assessment, January 1978.

The paper concludes the improvements the Soviets had made in recent years to their tactical nuclear forces in 

Central Europe had eroded much of the NATO nuclear advantage. The analysts had assessed the Soviets would 

attain nuclear parity in Central Europe should the trend continue, and the basis of deterrence would shift more 

to conventional forces. The assessment describes the Warsaw Pact and NATO programs to improve their 

forces, draws implications for nuclear parity, and concludes Warsaw Pact confidence would be tempered by 

projected NATO improvements.

Document VII-52. "Soviet Concepts for Employment of Nuclear Weapons in a Conflict with NATO—

Evidence from Warsaw Pact Military Exercises", CIA/DI/OSR Blind Memorandum for Col. William Odom 

and Dr. Samuel Huntington, NSC, 24 March 1978.

This memorandum provides OSR's preliminary observations regarding the Warsaw Pact view of the use of 

nuclear weapons in a war. OSR derives conclusions from how Warsaw Pact military exercises involving 

conflict with NATO addressed the question. OSR assesses that after 1970 the Soviets had concluded the period 

of fighting with only conventional weapons was likely to occur before either side employed nuclear weapons. 
During this conventional period, a primary goal would be the destruction of NATO nuclear capabilities. The 

Soviets believed they had the advantage during the conventional phase, when NATO preparations for nuclear 

strikes might be taking place. Planning for employment of nuclear weapons would be flexible, but the Soviets 

were concerned about problems of reconstitution, decontamination, and human psychology accompanying the 

use of nuclear weapons. The degree of linkage between intercontinental and theater nuclear operations was 

unclear.

Document VII-53. Warsaw Pact Concepts and Capabilities for Going to War in Europe: Implications 

for NATO Warning of War, CIA/NFAC NIE 4-1-78, 10 April 1978.

The IC concludes the Soviets regarded the risks involved in a war with NATO to be extremely high, perhaps 

including an escalation to massive nuclear strikes that Moscow viewed as a major threat to its existence. The 

estimate also concludes the Soviets took a conservative view of NATO capabilities and believed NATO's 

defense might prevent a quick Warsaw Pact victory. That belief, coupled with Soviet concerns that its East 

European allies might not fight, further constrained Soviet planning for aggressive war. For these reasons, the 

estimate assesses war in Europe would occur only when the political, military, or economic situation changed 

profoundly. The estimate discusses Soviet military objectives in a war, Soviet doctrine and readiness for war, 

and the Warsaw Pact way of going to war. The IC analysts are confident they are able to monitor the civilian 

and military activity in peacetime and will notice significant early changes in a wide range of civilian and 

military activities as they move to a posture for war.

Document VII-54. "With Nuclear Weapons or Without Them?" by Col. Imre Gabor, Military Thought, 

secret issue No. 2, 1964, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 29 June 1978.

Gabor asserts that, although the Western powers and the Soviet Bloc had both acquired nuclear weapons, it 

was still possible that a war between the two blocs could be fought with only conventional weapons. The 

author was of the opinion conventional weapons would continue to play a decisive role in any future war.

Document VII-55. Indications and Warning of Soviet Intentions to Use Chemical Weapons during a 

NATO-Warsaw Pact War, CIA/DCI/NIC Interagency Intelligence Memorandum [IIM], August 1978.

Under Secretary of the Army Walter B. LaBerge requested this IIM. It discusses the problems of identifying 

unambiguous indicators of Soviet preparations and intentions to use chemical weapons during a conventional 

war, with a focus on the first use of these weapons. The IC judges that the likelihood of getting warning of an 

impending chemical attack was low because the indicators of such activity would look like conventional 

operations or preparations for nuclear warfare.

Document VII-56. Soviet Strategic Forces for Peripheral Attack, NIE 11-6-78, 12 September 1978.

The estimate addresses the portion of Soviet strategic forces intended for use primarily against land targets in 

Western Europe, China, the Middle East, and other areas on the periphery of the USSR. The relevant targets 

were generally beyond the immediate area of ground force engagements but at less than intercontinental range.

Document VII-57. "Directive of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the USSR: Results of Operational 

Training in 1977-1978, and Tasks for 1979-1980", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 25 

October 1979 [DOI, 14 November 1978].

The directive appraises accomplishments and weaknesses revealed in the course of high-level operational 

training of Soviet forces. It focuses on the results of major exercises as it either praises or castigates the staffs 

and commands of fronts and fleets for their performance in the exercises.

Document VII-58. This number intentionally left blank.

Document VII-59. This number intentionally left blank.
Document VII-60. "Warsaw Pact Perceptions of NATO Strengths and Weaknesses", CIA/DO Intelligence 

Information Report, 19 August 1982 [DOI, late 1981].

The reporting describes the Warsaw Pact's view of NATO as a politically weak organization, particularly on its 

flanks, because there is no firm commitment to defend Europe. The strategic forces of the United States, 

United Kingdom and France are highly regarded, but NATO ground forces are considered to be a major 

weakness.

Document VII-61. Soviet Planning for Front Nuclear Operations in Central Europe, CIA/DI/SOVA 

Intelligence Assessment, June 1983.

The assessment concludes the Soviets planned to divide responsibility for nuclear operations between strategic 

forces and front tactical forces in a war in Central Europe. It describes Soviet plans to use nuclear weapons on 

a large scale and describes the most important front targeting objectives during both conventional and nuclear 

operations. It assesses front nuclear operations would not be significantly affected by the deployment of 

Pershing II ballistic missiles and ground-based cruise missiles to Europe because most of them would probably 

be deployed beyond the front forces' area of responsibility.

Document VII-62. Employment of Warsaw Pact Forces against NATO, CIA/DCI/NIC Interagency 

Intelligence Memorandum, 1 July 1983.

The IIM provides a detailed discussion of general Soviet concepts for front-level operations and Soviet 

planning for theater nuclear operations. It discusses Warsaw Pact options for campaigns against NATO in the 

Western, Southwestern and Northwestern Theaters of Military Operations and reviews options for employment 

of Warsaw Pact forces.

Document VII-63. "Concept of Operations for the Polish Front", CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Report, 14 

March 1984 [DOI, late 1981].

The reporting contains a concept of operations for a war between NATO and the Warsaw Pact during which 

the Polish front would be committed by the sixth hour of the third day of combat from Luebeck to Wittenberg, 

operating on diverging axes along the North Sea coast to Brussels and the French border, at the same time 

supporting one of the three Polish armies in an offensive to seize Jutland and the Danish islands. The foregoing 

offensives are to be completed within 12 days. Senior Polish military leaders, however, believe the front will 

be unable to accomplish its assigned tasks.

Document VII-64. Soviet Strategy and Capabilities for Multitheater War, NIE 11-19-85/D, June 1985.

The estimate assesses the capability of the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies to fight a multitheater war 

during the period 1995-2000. The estimate focuses on three principal regions in which the Soviets appeared to 

be prepared to undertake military operations: Europe, East Asia and Southwest Asia. It addresses likely Soviet 

wartime objectives in the theaters and the capabilities of Warsaw Pact forces to accomplish them. It presents 

the Soviet view of the interrelationship of the three regions and the part each played in overall Soviet strategy 

and military planning. It also assesses the Soviet capacity to control, sustain and coordinate simultaneous 

military campaigns in three widely separated areas.

Document VII-65. Warsaw Pact: Planning for Operations against Denmark, CIA/DI/SOVA Research 

Paper, April 1989.

The paper describes the Warsaw Pact plan for a coordinated, phased offensive operation against Denmark in 

support of the main offensive against the NATO center. The operation would not begin before late in the first 

week of the war because of the heavy demands of the plan on Soviet airlift, sealift, and naval mine-clearing 

and the risks and uncertainties associated with initiating airborne and amphibious operations before gaining air 

and sea supremacy. The analyst also judges that unilateral reductions and reorientation of forces toward 

defense could lead to a less threatening and less capable array of Warsaw Pact forces opposite Denmark.
↑ BACK TO CHAPTER 7

DOCUMENTS ABOUT GROUND FORCES

The documents chosen for this section focus on the characteristics and capabilities of Warsaw Pact ground 

forces. They include: manuals on conducting operations; articles covering recruiting and training of personnel; 

readiness of ground forces; and doctrine and strategy for ground forces, including chemical and nuclear 

warfare in a war with NATO in Central Europe. Rear services are also covered as well as Soviet views of 

NATO capabilities.

Document VII-66. Soviet Offensive Chemical Warfare Capabilities: A Preliminary Reassessment, 

CIA/DI/OSR Working Paper, June 1970.

The paper addresses the paucity of information and evidence about the Soviet chemical weapons program. It 

provides an approach for assessing the quantity of stocks the Soviets could have available and outlines the 

state of CIA knowledge concerning Soviet chemical warfare capabilities in general.

Document VII-67. Line Divisions of the Polish Army: Size and Capabilities, CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence 

Report, September 1970.

This report discusses the state of information about and the analysis of Polish forces in the fall of 1970 and 

their role in the first echelon of fronts confronting NATO. The report focuses on the details of the peacetime 

combat preparations and evaluates the wartime capabilities of Polish mechanized and tank divisions.

Document VII-68. The Soviet Motorized Rifle Division and Tank Division: Organization, Size, and 

Logistic Capability, CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence Report, November 1970.

The analyst evaluates evidence in articles in the Soviet military press and from scenarios of military exercises 

indicating changes in Soviet military doctrine. These changes included acceptance of a doctrine that hostilities 

between NATO and the Warsaw Pact could be nonnuclear but that NATO would probably initiate tactical 

nuclear strikes when a Warsaw Pact nonnuclear offensive achieved initial success. The report also evaluates 

changes in organization and strength of representative divisions of the GSFG and their logistic capabilities.

Document VII-69. New Developments in Soviet Conventional Ground Force Equipment, CIA/DI/OSR 

Intelligence Report, December 1972.

The report contains information about Soviet research for new munitions and new ground force weapons, 

including two new tanks and a heavy armed vehicle designed to carry a mounted infantry squad.

Document VII-70. The 1967 Soviet Regulations on Compulsory Service in the Armed Forces, 

CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence Report, January 1972.

The analyst reviews the 1967 changes in Soviet regulations, including reductions in terms of active service, 

institution of compulsory pre-military training and semiannual call-ups, and demobilizations.

Document VI-71. Trends in Soviet Military Manpower, CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence Report, October 1972.

The analyst concludes the total Soviet military manpower increased from 2.8 million men in 1961 to 3.7 

million in 1971, as Soviet concern over growing Sino-Soviet tensions and US strategic capabilities increased. 

During the period, Soviet general purpose forces expanded by about 345,000 men, the largest increase of any 

Soviet military component.

Document VII-72. Tactical Nuclear Capabilities of Warsaw Pact Ground Forces in the Reduction 

Area, CIA/DI/OSR Special Project, October 1972.

The report is a response to a White House memorandum of 25 September 1972 requesting additional data for 
the initial MBFR discussions. The paper addresses tactical nuclear missile capabilities in East Germany, 

Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary.

Document VII-73. Soviet Approach to Force Reductions in Europe, NIE 11/20-73, 11 January 1973.

The NIE addresses Soviet positions on MBFR in Europe. It provides judgments about Soviet negotiating 

posture, the probable stance of the East Europeans, and possible Soviet positions on several issues.

Document VII-74. Warsaw Pact Forces for Operations against NATO, CIA/DIA, Coordinated Paper 2, 

National Security Study Memorandum [NSSM] 168-1, 15 May 1973.

The paper describes the characteristics of Warsaw Pact forces and assesses their capabilities for mobilizing and 

reinforcing forces facing NATO in the central region of Europe. The paper also compares US and allied 

assessments of Warsaw Pact capabilities.

Document VII-75. Logistic Posture of Soviet Forces in East Germany, CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence Report, 

July 1973.

The paper describes the state of supplies for Soviet forces in East Germany, including motor transport and 

stocks of ammunition, petroleum, oil and lubrication. The analyst judges Soviet capabilities for conventional 

offensive operations could be seriously limited by the status of logistics, particularly the lack of motor 

transport necessary to support rapid advance.

Document VII-76. "The Tasks of Military Science at Its Present Stage and the Main Directions of Work of the 

Journal Military Thought", by Marshal Zakharov, Military Thought secret issue No. 2, 1970, CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 18 October 1973.

The article contains a speech by the former chief of the Soviet General Staff, Marshal Zakharov, to the editors, 

authors and readers of Military Thought. Marshal Zakharov emphasized the ideological foundation of Soviet 

military doctrine and expressed some generalities about the future work of the journal. He viewed the 

unclassified version of the journal as a forum for the study and understanding of military doctrine and 

experience, and the classified version as an exchange of views by Soviet command personnel on the principal 

military problems. Zakharov also addressed the need to perform research into conducting "air operations to 

rout the enemy's aviation" at the "very beginning of a war."

Document VII-77. Revised CIA/DIA Estimates of Warsaw Pact Manpower in the NATO Guidelines 

Area,

44 CIA/DIA, Joint Memorandum, December 1973.

This analysis was prepared for the MBFR talks and was also applicable to other forces-related defense 

requirements. The revisions were based on new evidence of the aggregate strengths of some Warsaw Pact 

force elements in the NATO Guidelines Area.

Document VII-78. "Determining Norms for the Stockpiling and Expenditure of Artillery Ammunition", by 

Col. Gen. of Artillery I. Volkotrubenko, Military Thought, secret issue No. 1, 1970, CIA/DO Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 2 January 1974.

Volkotrubenko presents some simple formulas for establishing the amounts of artillery ammunition to be 

stockpiled for each type of gun, including emergency reserves. It is primarily a statement of stockpiles and 

expenditure data for WW II. A later article in Military Thought [Document VII-82] criticizes the assumptions 

and calculations made by Volktrubenko. Both articles probably are symptomatic of the state of discourse about 

the general question of ammunition stockpile requirements and expenditure rates at that time.

Document VII-79. "Warsaw Pact Views on the Inclusion of Nuclear Weapons in MBFR", CIA/DI/OSR Blind 

Memorandum, in response to a request from Jan Lodal, Director, Program Analysis, NSC Staff, 22 February 

1974.
The memorandum addresses the Soviet and Warsaw Pact insistence that any MBFR agreement provide for the 

reduction of nuclear as well as conventional armaments. On 8 November 1973, the Soviet Union and Warsaw 

Pact presented a draft agreement specifically requiring the parties "to reduce their ground and air forces and 

armaments, including nuclear weapons." The analysis notes the term "nuclear weapons" was used in a way to 

make clear the Soviets viewed them as part of "ground and air forces armaments."

Document VII-80. "The Development of the Means of Armed Combat in the Postwar Period", by Marshal of 

the Soviet Union M. Zakharov, Military Thought, secret issue No. 1, 1969, CIA/DO Intelligence Information 

Special Report, 26 February 1974.

In the article, Zakharov summarizes Soviet weapons and military equipment developed after WW II. It focuses 

on hardware for the Ground Forces, but it also describes some fighter aircraft and major transport aircraft. It 

provides major characteristics for most items of equipment, including armored vehicles, antiaircraft missiles, 

tactical ballistic missiles and rockets, and major pieces of engineer equipment.

Document VII-81. "The Withdrawal of a GSFG Tank Army", CIA/DI/OSR Blind Memorandum, 1 March 

1974.

The memorandum defines the composition of a tank army and examines the Soviet concepts for the use of a 

tank army in general and for two tank armies in the NATO Guidelines Area with respect to MBFR. It discusses 

the impact of the withdrawal of a Soviet tank army on Soviet capabilities and how the Soviets might 

compensate. It also compares the effects of a reduction of a combined-arms army with that of a tank army.

Document VII-82. "Another View on the Determination of Artillery Ammunition Norms", by Col. G. 

Yefimov, Military Thought, secret issue No.3, 1970, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 11 

April 1974.

Yefimov attacks the premise of the article in Document VII-78 that Soviet industry had satisfactorily fulfilled 

ammunition requirements during WW II. It attributes Soviet setbacks and defeats to the absence of 

ammunition or severe restrictions on its use. It is pessimistic about the capability of industry to supply 

sufficient artillery ammunition during nuclear warfare and recommends careful correlation of targets, gun 

calibers, range of fire, and ammunition costs.

Document VII-83. Estimates of Soviet Medium and Heavy Tanks in Active Units Stationed in the 

NATO Guidelines Area, CIA/DIA Joint Memorandum, 24 May 1974.

These estimates were based on new analysis of the increase in the number of tanks per division during the 

previous four to five years. In these estimates, the total number of Soviet tanks assessed in the NATO 

Guidelines Area was increased by about 500 over the preceding estimates.

Document VII-84. Soviet Commentary on the Capabilities of US General Purpose Forces, 

CIA/DI/OSR Research Paper, July 1974.

The paper addresses questions raised by the director of Net Assessments, Office of the Secretary of Defense. 

The director asked for an analysis of what in the Soviet view were the characteristics and activities of US 

general purpose forces making the greatest impact on the Soviet national security community. The paper 

analyzes explicit Soviet statements appearing to reflect perceptions and evaluations of US general purpose 

military capabilities from open-source and classified Soviet publications.

Document VII-85. Warsaw Pact Tactical Nuclear Forces in Central Europe, CIA/DIA Joint 

Memorandum, March 1975.

The paper provides a brief overview of the composition and capabilities of the Warsaw Pact tactical nuclear 

forces for the US policy and negotiating teams involved in the MBFR deliberations.
Document VII-86. Combat Actions of a Tank Army Separated from Other Front Forces by Maj. Gen. 

of Tank Troops G. Zavizion and Col. L. Kurkov, Col. Gen. G. Ariko and Lt. Gen P. Stepshin, Military 

Thought, secret issue No. 2, 1966, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 12 September 1975 

[DOI, 1966].

The article contains the four officers' comments on a 1965 book by Maj. Gen of Tank Troops N.I. Batalov on 

various aspects of a tank army operating independently on deep and rapid strikes on the nuclear battlefield. 

Much of the article weighs the respective merits of tank and combined-arms armies in these roles. The authors 

note that many of the details about those operations such as how to support them still need a thorough 

examination.

Document VII-87. Expansion and Modernization in the Soviet Theater Forces, CIA/DI/OSR 

Intelligence Report, September 1975.

The analyst judges, in addition to the growth of the Soviet ground and tactical air forces, that the changes of 

the previous 10 years had resulted in more balanced and operationally flexible theater forces with substantially 

improved capabilities for conventional as well as theater nuclear war. The report describes the buildup of 

Soviet forces opposite China as the prime factor in the expansion with an addition of more than 300,000 men. 

The report concludes Soviet forces opposite NATO following the invasion of Czechoslovakia had increased by 

almost 140,000 men and over 2,600 tanks in East Germany, Poland, and Czechoslovakia. The analyst also 

judges that extensive production of new, more sophisticated equipment would continue to the end of the 1970s, 

and, despite the slowdown during the period 1974–75, the expansion and modernization would continue unless 

new political leaders with changed priorities came to power.

Document VII-88. Controversy over the Role of the Soviet General Staff: Indications and Issues, 

CIA/DI/OSR, Research Paper, November 1975.

This report addresses two articles in the Soviet press by Army Gen. V.G. Kulikov, chief of the General Staff, 

on control of the armed forces and whether that mission should remain centralized in the General Staff. The 

article explores why, after the principle apparently had been accepted in recent years, the controversy 

continued.

Document VII-89. Reservist Training for Soviet Ground Forces: Patterns and Implications, 

CIA/DI/OSR Research Paper, January 1976.

The paper discusses the extent of current training for reservists and the impact on the ground force divisions to 

which they would be sent when mobilized. The report presents evidence that the implementation of the 1967 

Military Service Law was spotty. For example, most reservists did not receive prescribed periodic refresher 

training; some reservists with certain technical skills were called up, officers more frequently, and generally 

reservists did not train with their wartime units. A large body of recently trained manpower, however, was 

always available for mobilization because of the release of conscripts each year.

Document VII-90. "TO&E of a Soviet Motorized Rifle Division: Characteristics of Self-Propelled Guns", 

CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 6 May 1976 [DOI, 1975].

This reporting describes the organization and equipment of a Soviet motorized rifle division in useful detail.

Document VII-90a. "TO&E of a Soviet Motorized Rifle Division", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special 

Report, 15 September 1977 [DOI 1975].

The document corrects and supplements the information contained in Document VII-90. This version 

represents the full strength, wartime TO&E for a motorized rifle division.

Document VII-91. Organizational Development of the Soviet Ground Forces, 1957-1975, CIA/DI/OSR 

Intelligence Report, April 1976.
The paper reviews the history of the major changes in the structure of Soviet Ground Forces, beginning in 

1957, to determine how their organizations developed at all levels and on what principles the development was 

based. The report estimates possible directions of future development.

Document VII-92. "Soviet Conventional Forces and the Military Balance in Europe", CIA/DI/OSR Portion of 

Governor Carter Briefing II, 12 August 1976.

The briefing concentrates on four topics: why the Soviets were deterred from attacking NATO; the Soviet 

offensive plan for the contingency of war with NATO—intentions to complete preparations quickly should 

deterrence fail; the trend toward qualitative improvements in military equipment for both sides; and the rough 

balance between NATO and Warsaw Pact military capabilities.

Document VII-93. "Combat Actions by a Tank Division Separated from the Main Forces of a CombinedArms Army" by Maj. Gen. G. Khaych, Military Thought, secret issue No. 3, 1965, CIA/DO Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 27 October 1976 [DOI, late 1965].

Khaych explores actions peculiar to a tank division separated from a combined-arms army to penetrate farther 

into the depth of an offensive. Accordingly, the author outlines the tasks of the tank division, the numbers of 

nuclear warheads required and how they should be supplied, the special problems of air defense,

reconnaissance, protection against mass destruction weapons, materiel supply and control.

Document VII-94. Morale and Discipline Problems in the Soviet Armed Forces, CIA/DI/OSR 

Intelligence Memorandum, April 1977.

The paper describes the increasing morale and discipline problems in the Soviet military. The analyst judges 

they were a result of the indifference and ineffectiveness of the officers.

Document VII-95. "A Matter of Great Importance", General of the Army S. Shtemenko, Military Thought

secret issue, Number 2, 1968, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 28 July 1977.

Shtemenko outlines and explains several measures carried out to implement the Universal Military Service 

Law and improve the system of manning the Soviet Armed Forces. It lists basic categories in which youth 

should receive training prior to call-up and suggests ways in which this training will be carried out. It describes 

the procedure for the registration and evaluation of conscripts in a two-year period prior to call-up, the call-up 

itself and assignment of conscripts to the troops. Finally it examines problems of training noncommissioned 

officers, junior specialists, officers and students of civilian institutions of high education.

Document VII-96. Combat Potentials of the Armament and Combat Equipment of the Ground Forces 

and Aviation of the USSR and of the Armies of the Probable Enemy, and Table of Combat Potentials 

of Large Units, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, original report was issued on 2 August 

1977; This document includes an addendum (correction) to the original report, 25 August 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The report is a translation of two secret Soviet documents consisting of tables comparing the combat potential 

of USSR and NATO tanks, self-propelled artillery, infantry combat vehicles, armored personnel carriers, field 

artillery and mortars, antitank weapons, air defense weapons and aircraft. It also compares the combat potential 

of Warsaw Pact and NATO ground force divisions. [See Documents VII-97 and VII-98 for analysis of these 

documents.] 

Document VII-97. Preliminary Exploitation of a Soviet Document", CIA/DI/OSR Blind Memorandum, 2 

September 1977.

The memorandum is an analysis of Document VII-96. The Soviet document contained two lists of comparative 

numerical ratings for the combat potential of military equipment and division size combat units for the Warsaw 

Pact and various potential enemies. The lists also included some new items of combat equipment not yet 

available to operational units. The memorandum examines the choices made by the Soviet authors of the 

combat potential of various equipment and units.
Document VII-98. "NATO-Warsaw Pact Force Ratios in Central Europe", CIA/DI/OSR Blind Memorandum, 

21 September 1977.

This memorandum is a second analysis of Document VII-96. The memorandum examines Soviet and US 

analyses and concludes that US and Soviet planners had a similar appreciation of the balance of forces at the 

divisional level in Central Europe expressed in equipment equivalencies, employed generally similar 

definitions for determining the relative power of opposing forces, and had nearly identical results.

Document VII-99. Manual on the Conduct of Operations, Part II: Ground Forces Operations [FrontArmy-Corps], issued by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the USSR, CIA/DO, Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 29 September 1977 [DOI, 1963].

The document is a translation of the Soviet General Staff authoritative guide for officers serving in command 

or staff positions at the front, army or corps level. The manual contains an introduction and eight chapters 

dealing with general principles, political work, principles of ground forces operations, offensive operations, 

airborne landings, defensive operations, regroupings, and rear services support.

Document VII-100. USSR General Staff Rear Services Manual: Rear Services Support of the Ground 

Forces, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 25 November 1977 [DOI, 1963].

The manual, in this clandestine report, prescribes rear services support of the Ground Forces for commanders 

and staff officers at the front, army and corps level. It contains seven chapters addressing: the general 

principles of the rear services support; the organization and deployment of units and facilities; transportation 

lines and the delivery of materiel; the specific features of materiel, technical, medical, and veterinary support; 

rear services support in offensive operations; rear services support in defensive operations; and special 

problems of support under various geographic and climatic conditions. It describes the integration of civilian 

motor transport into the force and the integration of the transportation infrastructure into the whole of the rear 

services support plan. The manual clearly affixes personal command responsibilities and the requirements in 

all aspects of support.

Document VII-101. Principles of the Organization and Conduct of Operational Reconnaissance in a 

Front Offensive Operation, issued by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the USSR, Chief Intelligence 

Directorate, in 1974, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 19 May 1978.

The manual, in this clandestine report, is intended for use by generals and staff officers of Ground Forces 

formations. It is a comprehensive study of the theory and practice of reconnaissance in its application to a front

offensive operation, beginning with conventional weapons and proceeding to the use of nuclear means. 

Chapter 2 describes various types of reconnaissance and some of the equipment used. Other chapters address 

indications of enemy preparations for attack, the planning, performance and control of reconnaissance, and 

other targets of interest at different stages of an operation.

Document VII-102. Soviet Nondivisional Artillery: Organization, Buildup, and Deployment, 

CIA/NFAC Imagery Research Paper, June 1978.

The paper is the result of a study of Soviet Ground Forces non-divisional artillery units. It was intended to 

improve the IC understanding of Soviet efforts to expand and improve the quality of these ground forces. The 

analyst judges the Soviets had nearly tripled the amount of conventional artillery assigned in direct support of 

army- and front-level commands during the period 1970–78. It describes how the buildup was accomplished 

and with what units, new and reassigned, and where newer models of weapons were assigned. The analysts use 

non photographic sources to glean more meaning from the photography.

Document VII-103. Warsaw Pact Training Exercise: Situation Report 4 April 1978, CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 17 November 1978.

The document was especially important because the lists of Polish wartime and peacetime force strength and 

illustrative Soviet deliveries of nuclear weapons to Polish forces in wartime were analogous for the wartime 
situations for all NSWP forces in the Central Region of Europe. It also contains valuable information on rear 

services and support.

Document VII-104. "Committing the Second Echelon [Reserve] of an Army to Battle in an Offensive 

Operation", by Col. G. Grozev, Deputy Chief of Staff of an army of the Bulgarian People's Army, 

Information Collection of the Headquarters and the Technical Committee of the Combined Armed 

Forces Journal, secret issue No. 12, 1976, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 9 February 

1979.

The article is from a journal published by Warsaw Pact Headquarters in Moscow and is part of a new series of 

articles from this publication. Grozev sets forth concisely and comprehensively the purpose of committing the 

second echelon of an army and its tasks. He describes, analyzes and evaluates the methods of committing the 

second echelon, dwelling on actions in mountainous and forested terrain. He also outlines the basic 

requirement for the commitment and downplays the effect of enemy nuclear strikes.

Document VII-105. "The Organization of Cooperation Between Air Defense Troops of the Ground Forces 

and Fighter Aviation", by Maj. Gen. of Artillery V. Mitronin, Information Collection of the Headquarters 

and the Technical Committee of the Combined Armed Forces Warsaw Pact Journal, secret issue No. 

12, 1976, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 16 February 1979.

Mitronin discusses the general aspects of cooperation between ground air defense units and fighter aircraft, 

depending on whether they had separate zones of action or took action in the same zone. It focuses on the 

complexities of having all three operate within the same zone. It discusses tactical air control, but not air 

operations.

Document VII-106. Soviet Amphibious Forces: Tasks and Capabilities in General War and 

Peacetime, CIA/DI/OSR Research Paper, June 1979.

The analyst presents information about the size of the amphibious forces and judges their successes would 

depend on air and sea control and on the forward progress of ground forces. The analyst also judges in certain 

circumstances the amphibious forces would be capable of limited intervention in Third World countries.

Document VII-107. The Development of Soviet Military Power: Trends Since 1965 and Prospects for 

the 1980s, CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence Assessment, April 1981.

The paper assesses the Soviet military buildup during the Brezhnev era, including in nuclear delivery vehicles, 

strategic and civil defense programs, battlefield nuclear forces, artillery firepower, the weight of ordnance 

tactical air forces could deliver deep into NATO territory, and the quality of tank armor. The paper assesses the 

introduction of new heavily armed surface ships, nuclear-powered submarines and naval aircraft, and the 

quadrupling of the number of missile launchers on ships and submarines. The paper addresses the broadening 

of Soviet military activities in the Third World, the near doubling of defense spending, and the increase in 

military R&D and manpower.

Document VII-108. The Readiness of Soviet Ground Forces, CIA/DCI/NIC Interagency Intelligence 

Memorandum, November 1982.

The memorandum is the response to a request by Secretary of Defense Weinberger for an in-depth analysis of 

the readiness posture of the Soviet Ground Forces. The memorandum compares the capabilities of Soviet and 

US forces to provide a framework for viewing Soviet readiness. It does not address in detail the readiness of 

NSWP forces or problems of coalition warfare.

Document VII-108a. The Readiness of Soviet Ground Forces, CIA/DCI/NIC Interagency Intelligence 

Memorandum, Executive Summary, November 1982.M
Document VII-109. The Soviet Operational Maneuver Group, CIA/DI/SOVA Intelligence Assessment, 

February 1983.

The paper describes the differences between an operational maneuver group [OMG] and a tank army. The 

analyst describes why an OMG could be a significant step in the evolution of Soviet combined-arms doctrine 

and judges there was a wide gap between Soviet theory of what an OMG would do and the capability of the 

Warsaw Pact.

Document VII-110. Warsaw Pact Ground Forces Reserve Systems, CIA/DI/SOVA Intelligence 

Assessment, March 1983.

This IA addresses manning, conscription, and quality of the reserve forces and their roles during peacetime and 

crisis. Based on a statistical analysis of the experience of hundreds of former reservists in the Soviet army, the 

author concludes peacetime training for individual Pact reservists was inadequate to maintain skills after active 

duty or to develop cohesion in the many units manned largely by reservists. The author points out that trained 

conscripts replaced reservists in Afghanistan before Soviet units were committed to offensive operations and 

that the reluctance to use reservists in real operations suggested the Soviet military leadership had a low 

opinion of their combat proficiency. Quality issues notwithstanding, the Soviet reserve system made millions 

of former soldiers available for mobilization.

Document VII-111. Manning Practices and Patterns in Soviet Ground Forces, CIA/DI/SOVA Research 

Paper, August 1983.

The paper examines Soviet manning practices in detail and the resulting impact on the ground forces divisions 

and other units in peacetime. The author concludes the Soviets intended to provide a well-trained, wellequipped and highly manned ready force of about 75 divisions capable of combat operations on short notice 

and a far larger, poorly trained, low-manned not-ready force of about 130 divisions to provide the basis for 

mobilizing a large wartime force. Of the 75 ready divisions at high strength, 40 were located outside the 

USSR. The other 35 were usually located near the Soviet borders, such as the border with China. The author 

describes the composition of the ready and non-ready forces and the different manning practices among units.

Document VII-112. Reorganization of Soviet Ground Forces in East Germany, CIA/DI/SOVA 

Intelligence Assessment, August 1983.

The paper describes the features of the reorganization of Soviet Ground Forces in East Germany that began in 

1980. The intent of the reorganization was to give the forces a more balanced combined-arms capability. The 

reorganization included an equipment expansion and modernization program to enhance the capability of 

Soviet forces to overrun NATO forward defenses in Central Europe and maintain the momentum of offensive 

operations. The changes demonstrate the Soviet belief that the tank cannot operate alone in operations. Instead 

the Soviets supported combined-arms formations to protect tank dominance in battlefield operations.

Document VII-113. This number intentionally left blank.

Document VII-114. New Soviet Army Corps Structure and Its Operational Implications, CIA/DI/SOVA 

Typescript Memorandum, December 1983.

The paper describes the conversion of two or three Soviet ground force divisions into a larger, reconfigured 

combat formation called an independent army corps. The paper describes information indicating the corps may 

be better able to conduct limited, self-contained actions, making them useful for economy-of-force, forward 

detachment, counter-penetration, rear-area protection, and operational maneuver group missions.

Document VII-115. Soviet Military Rear Services in East Germany, CIA/DI/SOVA Research Paper, 

February 1984.

The paper describes the results of a review of the Soviet buildup of reserve logistics for the Western Theater of 

Military Operations during the 1970s as adequate to support more forces than the Soviets then had in East 
Germany. The analyst judges that pre-positioned logistics would allow the Soviets to reinforce East Germany 

with combat troops coming from the USSR without clogging their lines of communication with materiel 

supply trains, and that those supplies could sustain the Soviet forces through the initial period of a war.

Document VII-116. Soviet Doctrine for Offensive Chemical Warfare Against NATO, CIA/DI/SOVA 

Intelligence Assessment, June 1984.

The editors review available intelligence for the period mid-1960 through 1984 for the paper. The results show 

there was a clear doctrinal emphasis on offensive use of chemical weapons when nuclear weapons were used 

until about the mid-1970s. Thereafter, the emphasis on using chemical weapons against NATO declined 

sharply.

Document VII-117. This number intentionally left blank.

Document VII-118. Soviet Ground Forces Trends, CIA/DI/SOVA CIA-DIA-Army Assessment, October 

1984.

The paper summarizes the findings to date of the Land Armaments and Manpower [computer] Model, an 

ongoing CIA, DIA, and DOD/Army assessment of Soviet and Warsaw Pact ground forces. The paper presents 

the results of the reassessment of those forces from 1960 onward and projects future developments in size, 

disposition, equipment, and readiness status through 2000.

Document VII-119. Warsaw Pact Tactical Forces: Capabilities and Readiness for Nuclear War, 

CIA/DI/SOVA Research Paper, June 1985.

The analyst judges that before the outbreak of a war in Europe with NATO, should the Soviets believed war 

was imminent, they would order the Warsaw Pact tactical and theater nuclear forces to complete plans and 

preparations for theater nuclear war. The author also judges the preparations could be completed in two or 

three days. The paper lists two situations during which the analysts believed the Soviets would consider using 

nuclear weapons even though NATO had not used them: when the Soviets believed NATO was about to use 

nuclear weapons and when Warsaw Pact reverses in the conventional phase of the war threatened a decisive 

defeat. The analyst lists the actions that the Soviets believed would indicate a NATO decision to use nuclear 

weapons but judged Soviet reconnaissance systems through the 1980s would be inadequate for the Soviets to 

predict with confidence a NATO nuclear attack and preempt it.

Document VII-120. Readiness of Soviet Forces in Central Europe: Implications for a Rapid 

Transition to War, CIA/DI/SOVA Intelligence Assessment, September 1987.

The paper focuses on the peacetime readiness posture of Soviet Air and Ground Forces in East Germany, 

Poland and Czechoslovakia, the Warsaw Pact forces opposite NATO considered to be the most ready. The 

assessment was based on a review of all-source intelligence on the military preparedness of Soviet air and 

ground forces stationed in East Germany, Poland and Czechoslovakia, and drew from IC studies published 

over the five years preceding the study.

Document VII-121. Warsaw Pact Ammunition Logistics in the Western Theater: Sustainability for 

Offensive Operations, CIA/DI/SOVA, Intelligence Assessment, June 1989.

The paper focuses on the changes to Warsaw Pact logistics planning resulting from a mid-1970s Soviet 

reassessment that NATO forces had become more sustainable and thus more difficult to defeat. Coupled with 

the new assessment was the belief NATO no longer believed it was practical to resort to the early use of 

nuclear weapons because the Warsaw Pact had attained nuclear parity, which threatened a devastating response 

to such attacks. The authors of the assessment examined the logistic implications and limitations for the 

Soviets in two scenarios of war in Europe covering a range of possibilities from a quick Warsaw Pact victory 

to the more likely intense conventional war lasting longer than 30 days. The assessment compares the implied 
requirements with existing ammunition stocks, concluding, in the case of a short conflict involving early 

offensive success by the Warsaw Pact followed by less intensive fighting, that Warsaw Pact forces had 

adequate ammunitions stocks stockpiled in Eastern Europe. The authors also conclude that, should the Warsaw 

Pact forces not be successful in defeating NATO defenses, sometime between 15 and 30 days after the 

beginning of intensive fighting, the Warsaw Pact forces would need to draw on ammunition stocks in the 

Western USSR. Ultimately, the authors conclude, once forward ammunition was basically exhausted, the 

Warsaw Pact would need to transport 40,000 to 100,000 metric tons per day into the forward area. The analysis 

exposes potential vulnerabilities in the Warsaw Pact structure of ammunition logistics.

↑ BACK TO CHAPTER 7

DOCUMENTS ABOUT AIR FORCES

The documents in this section include two Soviet Ministry of Defense manuals on doctrine for air war and air 

defense and the capabilities and strategies needed. There are clandestine reports including classified Military 

Thought articles, and DI analyses of various Warsaw Pact air operations. Several documents address the air 

operations planned for war with NATO in Central Europe focusing on the initial period of war and others 

evaluate the air operations of the Vietnam and 6-day Middle East Wars.

Document VII-122. Official Polish Report on the Organization, Operations, Equipment, and Strategic 

and Tactical Planning of the North Vietnamese Antiaircraft Defense System, CIA/DP Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 19 December 1967 [DOI, July 1967].

The document is a translation of the antiaircraft defense section of a report classified secret, made by a Polish 

military delegation that toured North Vietnam in July 1967. The delegation reports the mission, organization, 

operations and equipment of the North Vietnamese antiaircraft defense system. It includes the delegation's 

comments on the strengths and weaknesses of the system and an evaluation of the degree of success it had 

attained by mid-summer 1967.

Document VII-123. "Organization for the Detection, Reconnaissance and Engagement of Air Targets at Low 

Altitudes", by Col. E. Lassota, Military Thought, [Poland]secret issue No. 2, May 1968, CIA/DP Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 6 December 1968.

Lassota summarizes the results of an exercise held in September 1967. The exercise employed ground 

observers and standard artillery and early warning radars to detect air targets. The conclusion derived from the 

exercise was that the low-altitude defense problem remained unresolved, but some improvement was possible.

Document VII-124. Soviet Tactical Air Forces: New Capabilities and Roles for the 1970s, 

CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence Memorandum, January 1969.

This paper discusses the probable changes to Soviet Front Aviation [tactical air forces] to support changing 

concepts of modern warfare that Soviet theorists had been discussing following the ouster of Khrushchev from 

office. Those changing concepts brought new requirements for conventional warfare capability in a force 

designed under Khrushchev for nuclear war. The paper examines some likely new trends involving the 

procurement of new aircraft to satisfy requirements of warfare using only conventional weapons.

Document VII-125. This number intentionally left blank.

Document VII-126. Airlift and Auxiliary Air Support for Soviet Military Forces, CIA/DI/OSR, 

Intelligence Report, November 1969.

The report examines trends in the growth of Soviet military air transport forces and assesses their capabilities 

to support theater forces with long-and short-range airlift. It discusses mission and subordination, reviews the 
strength and disposition of helicopters and small utility transports assigned to ground force elements, and 

examines trends in the use of armed helicopters.

Document VII-127. Warsaw Pact Air Power: Concepts for Conventional Air Operations against 

NATO, CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence Report, October 1972.

The paper discusses Soviet doctrine for the tactical air forces originating in the 1950s. The doctrine envisioned 

a war in Europe as nuclear from the outset. It also examines the changes occurring after the 1950s, including 

the possibility of an initial period of conventional war. The resulting Soviet air operation described in the paper 

was intended to enable the Warsaw Pact air forces to carry out a mission for which they were not originally 

intended and for which at the beginning of the 1970s they were not well suited.

Document VII-128. "Combat Actions of Front Aviation in an Offensive Operation on a Maritime Axis 

Carried Out without Nuclear Weapons", by Maj. Gen. A. Bukhantsev, Military Thought, secret issue No. 3, 

1970, CIA/Directorate of Operations (DO) formerly DP Intelligence Information Special Report, 22 June 

1973. 

Bukhantsev addresses most aspects of tactical air operations in support of ground and naval forces involved in 

conventional warfare on a maritime front.

Document VII-129. "Airborne Landing in Operations of a Non Nuclear Period", by Col. Grebish, Military 

Thought, secret issue No.3, 1968, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 29 June 1973.

Grebish discusses the complexities of airborne landings conducted during offensive operations by the ground 

troops against NATO.

Document VII-130. "The Overcoming of Enemy Air Defenses by Military-Transport Aircraft", by Lt. Gen. of 

Aviation I. Taranenko and Lt. Col. A. Borisov, Military Thought, secret issue No. 2, 1968, CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 6 July 1973.

The authors define the operational profile of airborne operations in conditions of nuclear, chemical, or 

conventional warfare and recommend measures for overcoming air defenses up to the drop zone.

Document VII-131. "Combat with Enemy Air Defense Means to Support Flights by Military-Transport 

Aviation to Drop Troops", by Lt. Gen. of Aviation I. Taranenko, Lt. Col. A. Borisov, and Engineer Lt. Col. G. 

Rastorguyev, Military Thought, secret issue No. 1, 1970, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 

13 July 1973.

The authors state airborne operations were likely to fail without the described special measures to protect 

transport aircraft from air defense missiles and fighters. They note the inadequacy of existing Soviet fighter 

aircraft to fulfill the required role.

Document VII-132. "Criticism of a Previous Article on Airborne Landings [in Operations during a NonNuclear Period]", by Lt. Col. N. Noskov and Col. [retired] M. Orkin, Military Thought, secret issue No. 2, 

mid-1969, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 20 July 1973.

The editors criticize the article in Document VII-129, "Airborne Landing in Operations of a Non Nuclear 

Period." They characterize the earlier article as superficial, claiming Col. Grebish provided no calculations to 

support his statements. They also accuse him of having ignored or glossed over aspects of neutralizing air 

defenses and dropping troops at night.

Document VII-133. "The Employment of Long-Range Aviation in a Non-Nuclear Period of a Front

Operation", by Col. I. Sidorenko, Military Thought, secret issue No. 2, 1969, CIA/DO Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 31 August 1973.
Sidorenko discusses ways to increase long-range aircraft capabilities and effectiveness in support of 

conventional ground warfare.

Document VII-134. "Combat Actions of Air Defense Troops and the Air Forces of the Democratic Republic 

of Vietnam", by Col. A. Graznov, Military Thought, secret issue No. 2, 1967, CIA/DO Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 18 September 1973.

Graznov describes the operations of North Vietnamese air defense and air forces against US aircraft from 1965 

to 1967. Even were the successes of the North Vietnamese air defenses by their reckoning true, extrapolations 

to conditions in the European theater would not be comforting for the Soviets.

Document VII-135. "The Rebasing of Aviation Large Units and Units of Front Aviation from the Interior of 

the Country to a Theater of Military Operations", by Col. Gen. of Aviation Ye. Gorbatyuk, Military Thought, 

secret issue No.3, 1970, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 29 September 1973.

Gorbatyuk discusses the planning and procedures for rebasing tactical air units from the interior of the country 

to a combat theater. Although generally approving of the tactical air redeployments in the maneuvers, he 

describes lost time in the logistic evolutions and delays in readiness to support the front. He disagrees with 

those who prescribe intermediate basing intended to provide air coverage of transiting forces. Instead, he 

encourages moving directly to bases within range of the forward edge of the battle area.

Document VII-136. "Conventional Soviet Long-Range Air Force Operations against Enemy Air Bases", by 

Col. G. Lebedev, Military Thought, secret issue No. 2, 1969, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Report, 2 

October 1973.

Lebedev discusses the tactics of the Soviet long-range air force against enemy air bases in the first days of a 

conventional war in Europe under conventional warfare conditions. He advocates focusing long-range bomber 

attacks along a few corridors, at the expense of broader initial attacks. He maintains there were not enough 

bombers to strike all the enemy targets in a single raid because so many bombers were required for each target. 

He disagrees with the proposals of Maj. Gen. G. Yarotskiy, who advocated a broader initial air operation in the 

Military Thought article reported in Document VII-137, "The Defeat of Enemy Aviation Groupings in a 

Theater of Military Operations during a Non-Nuclear Period."

Document VII-137. "The Defeat of Enemy Aviation Groupings in a Theater of Military Operations during a 

Non-Nuclear Period", by Maj. Gen. of Aviation G. Yarotskiy, Military Thought, secret issue No. 3, 1968, 

CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 12 October 1973.

Yarotskiy advocates all-out air supremacy operations. He emphasizes the necessity of the maximum 

participation of all combat aircraft that could be brought within range of the enemy and committed to a 

massive surprise attack. He seemingly believes only a surprise attack would accomplish the initial necessary 

tasks. His opinions were disputed in part by subsequent authors in 1969.

Document VII-138. "Air and Air Defense Forces in the Near East War", by Maj. Gen. of Artillery M. Umnov, 

Military Thought, secret issue No.2, 1968, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 23 October 

1973.

Umnov attributes the Israeli victory in the 1967 Six-Day War largely to Israeli air superiority. He judges that 

the factors leading to that air superiority were Arab countries' lack of coordination, faulty deployment 

practices, inadequate protection of aircraft and air-defense missile sites, and poor training. The author 

identifies the major factors leading to Israeli success as surprise, radar jamming, and refined flight and 

bombing techniques.

Document VII-139. "Combat Readiness of Ground Forces Air Defense Troops", by Maj. Gen. of Artillery V. 

Gatsolayev, Military Thought, secret issue No. 3, 1968, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 30 
November 1973.

Gatsolayev discusses factors affecting field air defense performance, citing some lessons of the 1967 Six-Day 

War. His major points concern the necessity of moving radar and weapons often without disrupting the 

continuity of cover, careful selection of sites, and the strain exerted on personnel and equipment when they are 

kept in combat-ready status.

Document VII-140. Warsaw Pact Air Power: Forces for Use in Central Europe, CIA/DI/OSR 

Intelligence Report, December 1973.

The report reviews the history of Soviet doctrine on war in Europe in the early 1960s, when Soviet air forces 

were designed for air defense and delivering nuclear strikes, which in turn led to changes in Soviet doctrine in 

the mid-1960s, which increased the ability of their air forces to conduct conventional war as well as nuclear 

attacks. The report assesses the time frame within which Soviet frontal aviation could attain capabilities, an 

operational plan, and advanced equipment similar to those of the United States, and it assesses the impact this 

would have on Western planning.

Document VII-141. "The Struggle for Air Supremacy in Modern Offensive Operations", by Maj. Gen. G. 

Pshenyanik, doctor of Military Sciences and professor; Col. B. Andreev, candidate of Military Sciences and 

assistant professor; and Col. V. Kuznetsov, candidate of Military Sciences and assistant professor, Military 

Thought, secret issue No. 1, 1970, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 4 December 1973.

The authors describe characteristics of the struggle for air supremacy in both conventional and nuclear warfare. 

They state the concept of air supremacy had not been worked out in Soviet doctrine, and it was not fully 

accepted as appropriate to nuclear warfare.

Document VII-142. Organizational and Equipment Planning for Polish Air Forces up to 1980, 

CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 12 February 1974 [DOI, 1972].

This is a translation of a document classified "Secret of Special Importance" published by the Polish Ministry 

of National Defense in 1972. It provides detailed information and projections on organizational and equipment 

matters for the Polish Air Force, Air Defense Force, and Naval Aviation during the period 1971–75, and major 

changes up to 1980. Equipment figures remained rather static during 1971–75, except for increases in MiG-21s 

and helicopters and decreases in native aircraft holdings. Costs are provided for imported and domestic 

equipment, without the decision on the purchase of the MI-8 helicopter, which was still pending.

Document VII-143. "The Employment of Long-range Aviation in Support of Ground Forces", by Lt. Gen. of 

Aviation S. Shimanskiy, Military Thought, secret issue No. 1, 1968, CIA/DO Intelligence Information 

Special Report, 31 July 1974.

Shimanskiy describes the role of long-range aviation when it is called on to support offensive operations of 

ground forces. He provides a simplistic view of its role in nuclear scenarios and does not consider combined 

air operations.

Document VII-144. "Rebasing the Air Army of a Reserve Front", by Lt. Gen. of Aviation Yu. Rykachev, 

Military Thought, secret issue No. 1, 1969, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 19 November 

1974.

Rykachev asserts the rebasing of an air army of a reserve front may take place simultaneously with the forces 

of the reserve front or separately when the air army has to conduct combat actions before the reserve front is 

committed to an engagement. He only addresses the first case, but some of the rebasing planning factors seem 

likely to apply to both cases. The rebasing of the air army, according to the author, would take about five days 

and probably involve considerable ground transportation for its support equipment.
Document VII-145. Warsaw Pact Air Power Capabilities for Reinforcement of Tactical Air Forces in 

Central Europe, CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence Report, March 1975.

The analyst concludes the wartime role assigned to the tactical air forces in Central Europe during war was 

based on their early reinforcement from bases in the western USSR. The study asserts force requirements for 

some air operations exceed the number of aircraft located in Central Europe during peacetime and would 

require reinforcement during hostilities, which the analyst judges could probably be accomplished. The 

reinforced air forces are assigned roles in massive coordinated air attacks targeted primarily against NATO air 

forces and tactical nuclear assets during the initial phases of a conventional conflict in Europe.

Document VII-146. "The Air Forces in Operations with the Employment of Conventional Means of 

Destruction", by Marshal of Aviation S. Krasovskiy, Military Thought, secret issue No. 3, 1965, 

CIA/Directorate of Operations (DO) formerly DP Intelligence Information Special Report, 17 February 1976.

Krasovskiy examines aviation capabilities and the problems of allocating air forces in conventional operations 

during which escalation to nuclear action is threatened. He defines the tasks of long-range and front aviation. 

He asserts the volume of tasks for aviation in the early stages of a war exceeds its combat capabilities. The 

author recommends increasing the strength of the air army of the front "within reasonable limits" and changing 

the relative proportion of types of aviation. He asserts the main efforts of aviation should be directed toward 

hitting enemy tactical aviation on basing airfields and enemy missiles. Air support of the front evidently would 

take a back seat until the foregoing efforts were completed. The author briefly examines problems of control 

from the standpoint of maintaining readiness for nuclear actions during a conventional operation. He does not 

discuss theater-strategic air operations as such.

Document VII-147. "Warsaw Pact Doctrine on the Operation of an Air Army", CIA/DO Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 21 April 1976 [DOI, 1975].

This reporting discusses the role of air forces and air defense forces in the first days of a war. It describes 

readiness levels for an air army and its subunits and gives performance characteristics for the Su-20 [Fitter] 

and MiG-23 [Flogger] aircraft. Corrections to two charts are attached.

Document VII-148. "The Negotiation by Aviation of Enemy Air Defense Opposition in the Initial Operations 

of a War", by Col. Gen. of Aviation A. Mironenko, and Lt. Col. T. Mezentsev, Military Thought, secret issue 

No. 3, 7 September 1966, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 7 September 1976.

The authors examine three methods by which aviation may negotiate enemy air defenses, assess each, and 

make recommendations on the advisability of their employment. Lt. Col. Mezentsev discusses the 

establishment of flight corridors in the Western Theater for executing deep air strikes during initial operations 

of a war. Air supremacy is not addressed as such; rather the article focuses on striking key targets and avoiding 

exhausting Warsaw Pact air forces in the process.

Document VII-149. Manual on the Conduct of Operation, Part III: Combat Operations of the Air 

Defense (Antimissile Defense) Forces of the Country (District-Army), issued by the General Staff of the 

Armed Forces of the USSR in 1963, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 10 February 1978.

The manual consists of an introduction and six chapters dealing with the overall organizational structure and 

general fundamentals of air and antimissile defense, the organization and planning of air defense operations 

and combat support, the conduct of combat actions, and the fundamentals of rear services support.

Document VII-150. Manual on the Conduct of Operations, Part IV: Air Operations of Long-Range 

Aviation, Combat Operations of Front Aviation, and the Employment of Military Transport Aviation 

[Air Army-Corps-Division], issued by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the USSR in 1963, CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 7 April 1978.

The manual contains an introduction and chapters dealing with general fundamentals of air transport 
operations, preparing and conducting air operations of long-range aviation, combat operations of front

aviation, and military transport aviation, all at the air army, corps, and division level.

Document VII-151. Exercise Lato 74—a Nuclear War Scenario, CIA/DO Intelligence Information 

Special Report, 20 October 1978 [DOI, 1974].

The document is a nearly complete copy of a critique of a major combined Polish-Soviet multi-front-level 

exercise focusing on a Polish-led multinational front in conflict against the NATO Central Region forces. It 

reflects Warsaw Pact capabilities and problems as presented by Maj. Gen. Florian Siwicki, the chief of the 

General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces. The critique also offers a glimpse into some future equipment and 

organizational developments in the Polish forces. The title notwithstanding, most of the exercise addresses the 

challenges of nonnuclear warfare. For the first time [for the Poles], the exercise included the problem of 

committing an air army to air operations in the theater of military operations. Citing the effectiveness of Israeli 

air operations in the 1967 Six-Day War, the critique asserts a theater "air operation is the initial extremely 

important act of a conventional armed conflict" and described its inclusion in the exercise.

Document VII-152. "Negotiation of Enemy Air Defense by Aviation in a Theater of Military Operations", by 

Maj. Gen. of Aviation P. Bogza, Military Thought, secret issue No. 1, 1967, CIA/DO Intelligence 

Information Report, 30 November 1978.

Bogza describes Soviet perceptions of the extent air defense will probably be encountered in a European 

operation. He discusses the methods of negotiating enemy air defenses as they apply to long-range, fighter and 

military transport aviation.

Document VII-153. "[USSR] General Staff Academy Lesson No. 20a: The Conduct of the Air Engagement 

and Delivery of the Initial Massed Strike in the Air Operation, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special 

Report, 31 July 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson is the first of a new collection of 29 lectures, classified top secret, for use in the Soviet General 

Staff Academy. This lecture is the first of 19 dealing with the staff preparation of a front offensive operation 

with conventional and nuclear weapons. It instructs students acting as air army commanders in the transition to 

offensive operations using conventional ordnance after preemptive NATO air strikes in East Germany. The 

scenarios include the target areas notionally struck by NATO and the main targets to be attacked by the 

Warsaw Pact air army. The lesson specifies the German airfields to be used by the air army and lists the 

hypothetical air army squadrons, regiments, groups and divisions of aircraft.

Document VII-154. Report on Visit of Polish Armed Forces General Staff Delegation to the USSR Armed 

Forces General Staff and to the Combined Command of the Combined Armed Forces, CIA/DO Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 8 October 1980 [DOI, March 1980].

The report is a translation of a Polish document classified "secret, of special importance", from the Polish 

Ministry of Defense. The document specifies new arrangements for the inclusion of the aviation of Warsaw 

Pact fronts in the theater-wide strategic air operation directed by a Soviet theater commander. The report 

specifies forward bases for the Polish aviation of the front, the likely duration, area of coverage, size of the 

theater air forces involved, and projected number of sorties. The report further specifies that the Soviet 16th 

Air Army based in East Germany would support Polish air units when they redeployed to that country. 

Interestingly, the Polish commanders were denied permission to coordinate these arrangements directly with 

the commanders of the Soviet 16th Air Army.

Document VII-155. Executive Summary, The Readiness of Soviet Air Force, CIA/DCI/NIC Interagency 

Intelligence Memorandum, April 1982.

The DCI-directed production of the IIM was in response to a request by the Secretary of Defense for an indepth analysis of the readiness of the Soviet air forces. The memorandum examines a number of issues, 
including the quality of personnel and equipment and the effectiveness of training. It focuses on those air force 

elements that would support theater operations.

Document VII-156. This number intentionally left blank.

Document VII-157. Warsaw Pact Nonnuclear Threat to NATO Airbases in Central Europe, NIE 11/20-

6-84, 25 October 1984.

The IC judges the Soviets considered the early attainment of air superiority and the destruction or 

neutralization of NATO theater nuclear forces critical to the Warsaw Pact's chances for victory in Europe. 

Focusing on NATO airbases as targets, the estimate describes the Soviet plan for the air war against NATO in 

Europe to include multiple, successive front operations supported by Strategic Air Forces, Strategic Rocket 

Forces, and the Baltic Fleet, with a single high command. It also notes the Soviets would carry out attacks in 

the NATO Northern and Southern regions, to prevent NATO from shifting forces to Central Europe, with 

simultaneous air operations against key NATO airfield complexes in Norway in order to establish air 

superiority over the Norwegian Sea and reduce vulnerability of air and naval operations in the area.

Document VII-158. This number intentionally left blank.

Document VII-159. Warsaw Pact Air Forces: Support of Strategic Operations in Central Europe, 

CIA/DI/SOVA Intelligence Assessment, January 1985.

The paper describes evidence from Soviet military writings showing the Soviets believed NATO air forces 

constituted the greatest threat to the success of a Warsaw Pact ground offensive in a conventional war in 

Central Europe. This, according to the writings, required establishing theater-wide air supremacy at the outset 

of war. The paper then describes the history of the Warsaw Pact plans to defeat NATO air forces, beginning in 

the mid-1970s, continuing through changes in those plans in the late 1970s, and through the changes in their 

force employment concepts and the reorganization of their forces in 1980–81. It assesses the problems the 

Soviets continue to face and projects future initiatives.

Document VII-160. This number intentionally left blank.

Document VII-161. This number intentionally left blank.

↑ BACK TO CHAPTER 7

DOCUMENTS ABOUT FORMAL MECHANISMS TO MANAGE THE WARSAW 

PACT

The following documents are clandestine reports and CIA analytic papers that focus mainly on the military 

issues relating to the Soviet management of the combined forces of the Warsaw Pact. Some analyses of 

political issues are also included because of obvious relevance to the Soviet's control of their Warsaw Pact 

allies.

Document VII-162. The Soviet-Romanian Assistance Pact, CIA/DI/OCI Intelligence Report, 15 

September 1970.

The paper reports on the substance of the treaty, which was a renewal of a 20-year-old agreement, and 

describes the differences among the similar individual treaties of the other Warsaw Pact member nations.

Document VII-163. The Changing Shape and Mission of the Warsaw Pact, CIA/DI/OSR Intelligence 

Report, December 1970.
The paper discusses Soviet control over the Warsaw Pact members. In particular, it addresses the significance 

of the organizational structure of the Warsaw Pact's Unified Command after the March 1969 meeting in 

Budapest when the "accords were agreed." Although evidence was more plentiful about the Unified Command 

in 1970, it was ambiguous and led to several alternative appreciations of the form of Soviet control in the 

Warsaw Pact. This paper is an alternative analysis that later evidence did not support.

Document VII-164. The USSR and the Changing Scene in Europe, NIE 12-72, 26 October 1972.

The IC describes the Soviet policy of détente and judges the policy had produced expectations in Eastern 

Europe of better relations with Moscow. The IC also judges the Soviets could face a choice between their 

objectives in Eastern Europe and those they envisioned with the West, particularly attempts to reduce the US 

presence in Europe versus their efforts to improve relations with the United States. The NIE concludes 

Moscow would have problems with the military aspects of its détente policy, particularly reducing its forces 

while maintaining its security.

Document VII-165. "The Principal Ways of Improving the Quality of Military Communications", by Maj. 

Gen. of Engineer-Technical Service V. Stishkovskiy, Military Thought, secret issue number 1, 1970, CIA/ 

Directorate of Operations (DO) formerly DP Intelligence Information Special Report, 1 February 1974.

The article is a comprehensive assessment of Soviet military communications. Stishkovskiy examines basic 

communications principles such as reliability, security, and survivability in the nuclear environment, and then 

makes recommendations for achieving these goals. He treats both procedural and technical improvements in 

practical terms, including sophisticated techniques such as molecular frequency stabilization and laser 

communications.

Document VII-166. Reports and Schedules Presented at Ninth Meeting of Warsaw Pact Military 

Council in Prague, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 15 February 1974 [DOI, 1 November 

1973].

The report contains translations of Russian secret documents issued following the ninth meeting of the Warsaw 

Pact Military Council in Prague from 30 October to 1 November 1973. The documents are a good example of 

how the Soviets centralized and controlled the planning. They include a review of 1973 training and a directive 

for 1974, a schedule of combined exercises for 1974, and a report on the organization of rear services support 

for combined exercises.

Document VII-167. Construction of Warsaw Pact Command Posts; Status of Polish Mobile Command 

Posts, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 29 March 1974.

The report is a translation of a secret Polish document about construction of Warsaw Pact command posts and 

a summary of the status of Polish mobile command posts.

Document VII-168. General Scope of Activity of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, 

CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 16 September 1974 [DOI, 22 December 1969].

The report is a translation of a secret Polish Ministry of National Defense document. It provides an outline of 

the mission and principal tasks of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces and its command elements. 

The attachment lists the institutions subordinate to the chief of the General Staff.

Document VII-169. Directive on the Organization and Functions of the Polish Armed Forces 

Command System in Wartime, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 9 September 1975 (DOI, 

1974-75).

The document is a translation of a draft directive of the Polish Minister of National Defense. The directive 

describes the channels of command to be used in times of emergency and in wartime, including instructions for 

communication with the armed forces of the USSR, Czechoslovakia and East Germany.
Document VII-170. Proposed Changes in the Wartime Command System of the Polish Armed Forces 

(1975-1990), CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 24 October 1975 [DOI, August 1974].

The document is a translation of what appears to be an incomplete official draft by Directorate I of the General 

Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, classified "secret of special importance." The proposals provide detailed 

information on existing and planned [1975–90] command and communications facilities, current and 

recommended budget figures, construction locations and schedules, equipment and staffing requirements, and 

conversion of peacetime installations to predesignated wartime roles.

Document VII-171. Probable Soviet Reactions to a Crisis in Poland, CIA/DI/OSR Research Paper, 1 

June 1977.

The paper describes the history of Soviet-Polish relations after WW II and the Soviet policy for intervention in 

Polish internal affairs. It reviews past Soviet-Polish crises and concentrates on Soviet political and military 

reactions to them. It outlines how the past might shape Soviet decisions to intervene militarily in a future crisis.

Document VII-172. Official Report of the Sixteenth Session of the Warsaw Pact Military Council and 

Related Documents, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 13 March 1978 [DOI, 20 October 

1977].

The document contains translations of the official reports of the 16th session of the Warsaw Pact Military 

Council, including the draft agenda and recommendations covering topics of operational and combat training, 

the status of air reconnaissance and field air defense, and the standardization of weapons and equipment. The 

reports indicate that progress had been made in unification and standardization, but some delays in production 

of new weapons had occurred.

Document VII-173. Decision of the Warsaw Pact Member States Adopted at the Meeting of the 

Political Consultative Committee, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 21 March 1978 [DOI, 

17 March 1969].

The document is a translation of a secret decision adopted by the Political Consultative Committee. The 

decision approved four statutes establishing the principal military organizations of the Warsaw Pact: the 

Committee of Defense Ministers; the Combined Armed Forces and the Combined Command; the Military 

Council and the Unified Air Defense System; and the Staff and Technical Committee of the Combined Armed 

Forces.

Document VII-174. Statute on the Military Council of the Combined Armed Forces of the Warsaw 

Pact, CIA/Directorate of Operations (DO) formerly DP Intelligence Information Special Report, 21 

March 1978 [DOI, 17 March 1969].

The document is a translation from Russian of one of four secret statutes establishing the military 

organizations of the Warsaw Pact governing peacetime activities. This statute establishes the Military Council 

as a consultative organ composed of the senior command personnel of the Combined Armed Forces. The 

function of the Military Council is to develop recommendations on the organization, training, combat 

readiness, and control of the Combined Armed Forces and on the development and introduction of weapons 

and equipment. It includes the functions of the council officials and a brief description of the procedures for 

adopting proposals within the Military Council and putting them into effect in the individual member 

countries.

Document VII-175. Statute on the Committee of Defense Ministers of the Warsaw Pact Member 

States, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 21 March 1978 [DOI, 17 March 1969].

The document is a translation of one of four secret statutes approved by the Political Consultative Committee 

of the Warsaw Pact on 17 March 1969 establishing the Committee of Defense Ministers and listing its 

functions.
Document VII-176. Statute on the Unified Air Defense System of the Warsaw Pact Member States, 

CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 21 March 1978 [DOI, March 1978].

The document is a translation of a secret statute approved by the Political Consultative Committee of the 

Warsaw Pact Organization on 17 March1969. It establishes the Unified Air Defense System of the Warsaw 

Pact member states and outlines the overall organization of the system.

Document VII-177. Statute on the Combined Armed Forces and the Combined Command of the 

Warsaw Pact Member States, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 21 March 1978 [DOI, 17 

March 1969].

The document is a translation from Russian of a statute defining the organization and functions of the 

Combined Armed Forces; delineates the authority and responsibilities of the CINC, deputy, and chief of staff; 

and outlines the activities of the Military Council, Staff, and Technical Committee. It also provides brief 

guidelines on the financial responsibilities of the members, with both manpower and contributions based on 

proportional representation.

Document VII-177a. "Excerpts from a speech regarding the preparations of the Draft Statute on the 

Warsaw Pact Combined Armed Forces and Combined Command for Wartime", CIA/DO Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 6 September 1978 [DOI, November-December 1977].

The document is a translation of excerpts of a top secret speech delivered by the Combined Armed Forces First 

Deputy Chief of Staff, Gen. Semen Fedorovich Romanov, regarding the preparation of the draft of a statute to 

govern the wartime activities of the Combined Armed Forces and Combined Command. The statute recognizes 

two high commands in the western and southwestern theaters, delineates the authority and responsibilities of 

the respective CINCs and their staffs in centralized control, and defines their relationships with the national 

commands involved. Provisions were to be made for the coordination of troop control with staff work through 

the exchange of operations groups and representatives. Romanov's speech represents an extension of 

discussions on the reorganization of the Warsaw Pact military command structure approved at the 10th session 

of the Committee of Defense Ministers in November–December 1977.

Document VII-178. Official Report of the Tenth Session of the Warsaw Pact Committee of Defense 

Ministers; Report of the Commander of Air Defense Forces on the Warsaw Pact Unified Air Defense 

System; Report of the Commander-in-Chief on the Organizational Structure of the Combined Armed 

Forces Control Organ, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 28 March 1978 [DOI, 8 

November–2 December 1977].

The document is a translation of an official report of the 10th session of the Warsaw Pact Committee. It 

contains three Russian documents classified top secret or secret that include an agenda and resolutions on the 

unified air defense system, control organs of the ground forces, an improved structure of the control organs of 

the Combined Armed Forces, civil defense, and the standardization of weapons and equipment. The report of 

the Commander of Air Defense Forces provides the current status of the unified air defense system and plans 

for updating its weapons and equipment. The report of the CINC outlines the basic proposals for improving the 

organizational structure of the staff and other control organs of the Combined Armed Forces. The report also 

covers the current status of the unified air defense system and plans for updating its weapons and equipment.

Document VII-179. Tropospheric Communications Lines in Poland, CIA/DO Intelligence Information 

Special Report, 19 April 1978 [DOI, November 1977].

The document is a translation of an official Polish memorandum classified secret. The memorandum provides 

the status and employment of Soviet tropospheric communications equipment and the construction and costs of 

the planned network. It refers to the information in Documents VII-180 below and should be read in 

conjunction with them.
Document VII-180. Construction of Warsaw Pact Tropospheric Communications Lines in Poland, 

CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 19 April 1978 [DOI, November 1977].

The reporting is a translation of a Polish memorandum classified secret and addressed to the Chief of the 

General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces. The memorandum outlines plans for the construction of a 

tropospheric communications network composed of 10 stations and six multiplex facilities that will connect 

Warsaw Pact Combined Armed Forces Headquarters and improve Polish military communications.

Document VII-181. Soviet Plans for Warsaw Pact Theater Commands Opposite NATO, 

CIA/NFAC/OSR Intelligence Assessment, April 1979.

The key judgment of the assessment is that the Warsaw Pact had no permanent multinational command system 

similar to that of NATO. Each member nation controlled its own forces in peacetime, and in wartime the 

forces would come under the ultimate control of the USSR. The analyst was uncertain about how the transition 

would be accomplished and what command structure would be activated. The paper presents evidence about 

the development of the theater command concept, the Warsaw Pact command structure for war, Soviet 

proposals for peacetime theater commands, East European concerns, and military implications.

Document VII-182. "The Warsaw Pact Unification and Standardization Program: Implications for the Ground 

Forces", CIA/DI/OSR Blind Memorandum, 31 May 1979.

The memorandum is based on classified Warsaw Pact documents containing Soviet proposals for modernizing 

and standardizing the organization and weaponry of the Warsaw Pact Combined Armed Forces. The memo 

summarizes the proposals, assesses the likelihood of their implementation, and discusses the potential impact 

of the plans on Warsaw Pact ground forces and weapons development and procurement.

Document VII-183. Letter from the Warsaw Pact Commander-in-Chief to Defense Ministers on 

Drafting a Wartime Statute to Govern the Combined Armed Forces, CIA/DO Intelligence Information 

Special Report, 18 July 1979 [DOI, December 1978].

The letter describes the structure, content, and preparation deadlines for the proposed statute to govern the 

forces and their commands in wartime. The statute was to be ready for consideration by the Committee of 

Defense Ministers later in 1979. It tentatively consisted of at least five sections defining the wartime 

composition and mission of the Combined Armed Forces and Combined Naval Fleets, the roles of the theater 

high commands and the national commands, their functions, their relationships with the national commands, 

and logistic and technical support arrangements. The defense ministers were requested to provide their input 

by 1 March 1979.

Document VII-184. Wartime Statute of the Combined Armed Forces, CIA/DO Intelligence Information 

Special Report, 28 November 1979 [DOI, 1979].

The document is a translation of a secret Polish General Staff memorandum containing comments on a draft 

statute of the Combined Armed Forces for wartime. The comments of the Polish General Staff and Ministry of 

Foreign Affairs were critical to the point where many provisions were considered unacceptable. They strongly 

recommended that the provisions be excluded or revised. Polish objections mainly reflected deep concern over 

loss of party, political and economic control of the Polish Armed Forces during wartime subordination to the 

Soviet-dominated Supreme High Command. They also objected to the proposal that all political activity was to 

be centralized at the Combined Armed Forces level, rather than by national military and political organs.

Document VII-185. Hardened Control Post Installations, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special 

Report, November 1979 [DOI, 1976].

The document is a translation of two "secret of special importance" Polish documents. The report provides 

information on requirements pertaining to construction, technology, utilization and operation of hardened 

control post installations.
Document VII-186. Wartime Statute, Combat Readiness, Mobilization, Front Command, Etc., CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 7 February 1980 [DOI, 1979].

The report contains a translation of a Polish document regarding the statute addressing the Warsaw Pact 

Combined Armed Forces, The document discusses the High Command directive on combat readiness, 

mobilization and expansion of Polish Armed Forces command structure, satellite reconnaissance, deliveries of 

new equipment, and communications problems.

Document VII-187. Official Record and Other Documents of the Twelfth Session of the Warsaw Pact 

Committee of Defense Ministers, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 19 March 1980 [DOI, 3-

6 December 1979].

The report contains a translation of top secret and secret documents of the 12th annual meeting of the Warsaw 

Pact Committee of Defense Ministers on 3–6 December 1979. It includes the agenda and summarizes the 

decisions adopted by the committee regarding the Romanian dissent to the draft statute governing the wartime 

organization and activities of the Warsaw Pact Combined Armed Forces. Other major decisions dealt with the 

establishment of a unified warning system of nuclear attacks, the allocation of industrial plant capacity for the 

wartime rehabilitation of weapons and combat equipment, and military-technical assistance to developing 

countries.

Document VII-188. The Draft Statute on the Combined Armed Forces of the Warsaw Pact Member 

States and Their Command Organs for Wartime, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 11 

April 1980 [DOI, 3-6 December 1979].

The report is a translation of three top secret documents pertaining to the wartime organization and activities of 

the Warsaw Pact Combined Armed Forces. The first is the comments by CINC Kulikov on the contents of the 

statute, which the 12th session of the Warsaw Pact Committee of Defense Ministers approved over Romanian 

objections. The second document is the "Theses", which summarizes the main points of CINC Kulikov's 

report. The final document provides the legal basis for establishing two theater high commands under the 

overall leadership of a Supreme High Command based on the Soviet General Staff. The theater high 

commands were to control the committed forces in the western and southwestern theaters.

Document VII-189. Warsaw Pact Forces in Czechoslovakia, CIA/NFAC/OSR Research Paper, March 

1980.

The paper describes the reorganization and newer weapons of the Czech and Soviet forces in Czechoslovakia. 

The analyst assesses that Soviet confidence in the reliability of the Czech forces had grown.

Document VII-190. Critique of Exercise Tarcza (Shield)-79, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special 

Report, 18 June 1980 [DOI, December 1979].

The document is a translation of a secret policy document by CINC Kulikov describing the structure of 

participating allied forces and the objectives of the exercise. He pointed out several weaknesses in the 

command and control systems, including delayed transmission and problems with reception and execution of 

combat orders that indicated deficiencies in training. Language barriers were persistent problems during the 

exercise.

Document VII-191. Ratification of the Wartime Statute on the Warsaw Pact Armed Forces and 

Appointment of Brezhnev as Supreme Commander, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 25 

July 1980 (DOI, 18 March–30 April 1980).

The document is a translation of four top secret documents conveying the final ratified versions of the Wartime 

Statute for the Combined Armed Forces and associated Warsaw Pact memoranda. The documents showed the 

continuing dissatisfaction of Romania with the status quo in the Warsaw Pact: it failed to sign the statute; its 

ratification; and the decision to appoint Brezhnev as supreme commander.
Document VII-192. Political Control of the Soviet Armed Forces, CIA/NFAC/OSR Research Paper, July 

1980.

The paper describes the political controls of the Soviet armed forces and the problems they created, including 

the impact on promotions, the failure to prevent discipline problems, and the gradual decrease in the 

percentage of party members.

Document VII-193. Operational Planning in Warsaw Pact Combined Armed Forces, CIA/ Directorate 

of Operations (DO) formerly DP Intelligence Information Special Report, 21 August 1980 [DOI, March 1980].

The document is a Polish request to the Soviet Armed Forces General Staff for clarification of methods and 

forms of Warsaw Pact operational plans. The Poles raise questions on the role of the Combined Armed Forces 

Staff, the extent of coordination between the General Staffs of the Polish and Soviet Armed Forces and the 

Combined Armed Forces on command and control, storage of ammunition, and basing of Polish aircraft in 

East Germany. It seems strange that these questions were still relevant 25 years after the formation of the 

Warsaw Treaty Organization and implies that the Soviets never gave up a quest for control. Specifically it is 

emblematic of the problems posed by arbitrary Soviet moves to consolidate firm control of their allies' armed 

forces.

Document VII-194. The Prospects for Soviet Military Intervention in Poland, CIA/NFAC/Office of 

Political Analysis [OPA] Typescript Memorandum, 8 Sept 1980.

The memorandum describes Soviet concern about the Polish situation. The author judges Moscow was 

seriously considering military intervention in Poland should a situation develop that the government could not 

control.

Document VII-195. 1980 Gierek Discussions with Marshal Kulikov, CIA/DO Intelligence Information 

Special Report, 22 September 1980 [DOI, 1980].

The report is a translation of a secret Polish document about conversations between Edward Gierek, First 

Secretary of the Central Committee of the Polish United Workers Party, and the Commander in Chief of the 

Warsaw Pact Combined Armed Forces. The two men discussed the Combined Armed Forces wartime statute, 

the Polish proposal to hold a CSCE conference in Warsaw, the plan for developing the Polish Armed Forces 

during 1981–85, a bilateral protocol for Polish forces assigned to the Combined Armed Forces, and production 

of new types of weapons and equipment. The USSR was considering granting Poland a low-interest, long-term 

loan of over 1 billion rubles for weapons purchases from the USSR. Poland was interested in entering the 

Libyan arms market together with the USSR.

Document VII-196. USSR-Poland: A New Sense of Urgency and the Potential Impact on Soviet Plans, 

CIA/DCI/Strategic Warning Staff Special Report 18 November 1980.

The paper was intended to warn the policy community that there might no longer be a full range of warning 

indicators during the one to two weeks before an actual Soviet invasion of Poland. This was because Soviet 

leaders might emphasize the need for tactical surprise when they lost confidence in the Polish regime and 

might feel pressured to react rapidly and forcefully. In that case, there might only be a day or two of advanced 

warning of an invasion.

Document VII-197. Construction of Combined Armed Forces [CAF] Hardened Command Post in 

Poland, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 3 April 1981 [DOI, September 1980].

The document is a translation of two secret letters. In the first, Marshal Kulikov advises that the portion of the 

cost assigned to Poland for construction of a command post in the USSR was to be used instead to build a 

hardened command post in Poland. In the second, Polish Minister of Defense Jaruzelski requests from Premier 

Pinkowski an affirmative answer to Kulikov's letter.
Document VII-198. Polish-Soviet Accord on Soviet Armed Forces Temporarily Stationed in Poland, 

CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 21 April 1981 [DOI, 1957, 1970].

The report is a translation of a Polish document classified secret of special importance. Deriving its general 

legal status from a 1956 treaty, this accord provided for stationing of 62,000-66,000 Soviet troops temporarily 

in Poland—the Northern Group of Forces [NGF] of the Soviet Armed Forces—and stipulates how the Soviet 

commander was to report to the Polish Ministry of Defense on changes or movements.

Document VII-199. Status of the Soviet Northern Group of Forces in Poland, CIA/DO Intelligence 

Information Report, 5 April 1982 [DOI, 1981].

This reporting describes the types of Soviet forces that had been stationed outside Warsaw for 15 years and the 

two lines of contact between the Soviet forces in Poland and Polish officials. The Soviet forces did not have 

good relations with the Polish General Staff but did have good relations with the staff's chief. The report 

describes a close working relationship between the Soviet forces and the Polish military districts.

Document VII-200. Soviet Memorandum about the Issues to be Raised by the Hungarian Minister of 

Defense During His Forthcoming Visit to the USSR, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 30 

April 1982 [DOI, 22 March 1982]

The document is a translation from a Russian top secret memorandum to Marshal Kulikov from his military 

representative in Hungary, Col. Gen. Silchenko. It contains the views of Hungarian Minister of Defense 

Czinege and the issues he wanted to discuss with his Soviet counterpart during a visit to the USSR. The 

memorandum contains a list of Soviet-approved weapons the Hungarians were asked to purchase during the 

period 1982–85. Czinege believed the Hungarian military was being pressured to accept this list, and it 

included weapons that were too expensive and not modern enough. He also wanted to discuss the possibility of 

greater Hungarian input in drawing up armed forces development plans, a reorganization of the Hungarian 

troop control structure, increased bilateral contacts between various Warsaw Pact armies, and a more 

independent role for Hungary in military assistance cooperation with developing countries.

Document VII-201. The Organization of the Warsaw Pact, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Report, 30 

July 1982 [DOI, late 1981].

This reporting describes the organization of the Warsaw Pact, with explanatory comments provided by the 

source.

Document VII-202. Party-Political Organs of the PPR [Polish People's Republic] Armed Forces, 

CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 30 November 1982 [DOI, June 1982].

The report is a translation of a Polish document classified confidential. The report provides information on the 

goals, directions, tasks, and authority of party-political organs of Poland's Ministry of National Defense, 

military districts, and military units down to regiment and battalion levels.

Document VII-203. Military Reliability of the Soviet Union's Warsaw Pact Allies, NIE 12/11-83, 28 

June 1983.

This is the first estimate to address the subject of the reliability of Warsaw Pact forces after 1966. The IC 

examines the military reliability of the Warsaw Pact allies in the event of a major external crisis or war with 

NATO. The IC considers the roles of the NSWP armed forces in Soviet plans for war and assesses these 

forces. Annexes provide details on specific Soviet control measures, the importance of the NSWP allies in a 

European war, and implications for Western planners, including a selected list of NSWP vulnerabilities.

Document VII-204. National and Multinational Polish Strategic, Operational, Tactical, Combined 

Division-level, Specialist and Transit Exercises, War Games, Staff and Training Drills, CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Report, 30 June 1983.
The source categorizes the Polish war games and drills by the level at which they were directed, the objectives, 

the methodology used, and the scale of participation. He describes strategic war games, strategic-operational 

exercises, front-level staff drills, operational and tactical exercises, the level of direction, participants, 

objectives, procedures, and the number to be held yearly, biannually, and in other time frames. He also 

describes national air defense exercises, "specialists" exercises, and a series of combined exercises with 

Warsaw Pact forces such as Soyuz, Zapad and Tarza.

Document VII-205. Party and Political Work in the Hungarian People's Army, CIA/DO Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 15 September 1983 [DOI, 1977-78].

This reporting discusses the leadership, tasks, and success of the party and political organs within the 

Hungarian People's Army during the period 1977–78.

Document VII-206. The Soviet Union's Control of the Warsaw Pact Forces, CIA/DI/SOVA Intelligence 

Assessment, October 1983.

This assessment is based on the Warsaw Treaty and the subsequent statutes on peacetime and wartime 

structures. The paper describes the history of the Warsaw Pact alliance as an instrument of Soviet control over 

the armed forces of Eastern Europe. It also describes the absolute control of Combined Armed Forces by the 

Soviet Supreme High Command and the possibility that it could deny the East Europeans a full voice in later 

stages of a crisis. The analyst judges that the Supreme High Command was not intended to expand Soviet 

control of the Warsaw Pact during peacetime. The paper describes similar organizations exercising control in 

the Western and Southwestern Theaters of Military Operations, including fleets and air defense units.

Document VII-207. This number intentionally left blank.

Document VII-208. "The Organization of Party Political Work in a Front Offensive Operation", by Col. Gen. 

I. Mednikov, Military Thought, secret issue #2 1975, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 20 

February 1985.

The article describes the procedures followed by a front political directorate in planning for front offensive 

operations. The author delineates the authority and responsibilities of political organs vis-à-vis the troops and 

the command structure throughout the planning and execution of a large-scale exercise.

Document VII-209. Gorbachev's Disavowal of Brezhnev Doctrine, CIA/DST/FBIS Trends, 6 April 1988.

This is an analysis of General Secretary Gorbachev's statement rejecting Soviet intervention in communist 

states. It includes Brezhnev's statement in Pravda on 13 November 1968 as well as Gorbachev's renunciation 

in its several forms in 1988. The report also describes the reactions of the Warsaw Pact countries and China to 

the announcement.

Document VII-210. "US Intelligence Assessments and the Reliability of Non-Soviet Warsaw Pact Armed 

Forces, 1946-89", by James D. Marchio, CIA/DCI/Center for Studies in Intelligence, Studies in Intelligence

Vol. 51, No 4, December 2007.

This is the author's reconstruction of the history of the IC's efforts to address one of the central analytic 

questions of the Cold War—whether and how well the NSWP military forces would fight for their Soviet 

masters in the event of a conflict.

↑ BACK TO CHAPTER 7

DOCUMENTS ABOUT GENERAL STAFF AND OTHER SENIOR MILITARY 

ACADEMY LECTURES AND MANUALS
This section contains a collection of classified Soviet information including some General Staff manuals and 

notes and copies of lectures at senior Soviet military academies, especially from the General Staff Academy. 

The manuals reflect the accepted military doctrine at the time they were published and served as the theoretical 

foundation of the formal lectures at the academies. Military doctrine evolved relatively fast in the 1960's and 

the later lectures reflected the changes perhaps even before new manuals were issued. Taken together, these 

reports offered invaluable insights into Soviet operational doctrine, tactics, organization for combat, and 

management of forces in war.

Document VII-211. "General Staff Academy Lectures: Principles of the Automation and Mechanization 

of Troop Control", prepared 6 September 1968, published October 1969; CIA/DO Intelligence Information 

Special Report, 11 November 1976.

The lecture deals with requirements for automating control systems to increase the combat readiness and 

capabilities of the armed forces while increasing the efficiency of control and reducing the labor expended by 

command personnel. It provides a summary of possible areas for the application of automation. It specifically 

examines the use of computers in military districts, particularly in command-staff exercises.

Document VII-212. "General Staff Academy Lectures: The Organization of Radioelectronic Warfare in 

an Offensive Operation of an Army and a Front", prepared March 1969, published October 1969; CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 3 December 1976.

The lecture is an overview of radioelectronic warfare and countermeasures applied to army and front offensive 

operations in the Western Theater. It emphasizes the importance of combining jamming with destruction by 

nuclear and conventional weapons. It provides details on organizing and planning radioelectronic warfare, the 

units involved, and their capabilities.

Document VII-213. "General Staff Academy Lectures: The Combat Employment of Rocket Troops and 

Artillery in an Offensive Operation of a Front and Army", prepared by Maj. Gen. of Artillery A.P. 

Suntsovyy, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 22 December 1976 (DOI, 26 February 1969).

The lecture is a comprehensive presentation of prevailing views and principles for employing rocket troops and 

artillery in an offensive theater of military operations. Suntsovyy's main points were bringing rocket troops to 

full combat readiness, organizing and using rocket troops in a front offensive with an initial nuclear strike, and 

employing artillery in an operation. The lecture provided details on the role and tasks of rocket troops and 

artillery in nuclear and conventional operations, their targets, centralization of operational planning, and 

various deployment and attack procedures.

Document VII-214. "General Staff Academy Lectures: Organization of Rear Services Support of an 

Army and a Front in an Offensive Operation", approved 18 February 1969, CIA/DO Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 4 March 1977.

The lecture deals with organizing the rear services to provide timely and continuous support to front and army 

combat operations. The author discusses materiel, technical, and medical support procedures and capabilities, 

the organization of control, and the composition of rear service elements.

Document VII-215. "General Staff Academy Lectures: Front (Army) Offensive Operations with 

Conventional Weapons", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 15 April 1977 [DOI, 4 March 

1969].

The lecture deals with preparing and conducting offensive operations without employing nuclear weapons. The 

lecture also covered general concepts and methods, procedures for planning and support, and organizing 

control.
Document VII-216. "General Staff Academy Lecture, The Defensive Operation of an Army", prepared by 

Lt. Gen. A.N. Kolominov, prepared October 1969, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 29 

August 1977.

The lecture covers the fundamentals of an army defensive operation, including the objectives and nature of 

defense, preparation and planning procedures, and the disposition of a defense.

Document VII-217. Manual on the Conduct of Operations, Part V: Operations of the Navy (FleetFlotilla), issued by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the USSR, published by the General Staff of the 

Armed Forces of the USSR in 1963, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 25 October 1977.

The manual is intended as a basic guide for command personnel. It consists of an introduction and seven 

chapters detailing general principles, political work, principles of naval operations, the preparation and conduct 

of various naval operations, joint operations with ground forces, and fundamentals of rear services support. It 

reflects the established Soviet military doctrine under Khrushchev in the early 1960s which posited that war 

with the West would begin with a massive nuclear strike.

Document VII-218. Lectures and Exercises of the General Staff Academy of the Armed Forces of the 

USSR, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 28 October 1977 [DOI, 1975-76].

The document is a translation of a notebook of an officer who attended a course at the General Staff Academy. 

The topics covered include: strategic operations in a theater of military operations; the artillery of a front; 

TO&E of air defense units of a front; forces and means of the rear of a front; chemical defense troops of a 

front; ground forces, air forces, and nuclear warheads of the notional First Western Front; Air Defense Forces 

of the notional First Western Front; forces and operations of the Baltic Fleet in cooperation with the notional 

First Western Front; premise of war exercises; and defensive operations of an army.

Document VII-219. "Armored Academy Training Text: The Offensive Operation of a Combined-Arms 

Army", classified secret and published by the Armored Academy in March 1973, CIA/DO Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 12 December 1977 [DOI, 25 September 1973].

The training document describes various combat operations of a combined-arms army, including the meeting 

engagement, the assault, crossing of water obstacles, breakthrough of an enemy defense, and border 

operations. The document also includes steps in planning and conducting these operations in nuclear and 

nonnuclear variants.

Document VII-220. The New Program of Instruction at the Academy I/N M. V. Frunze, by Lt. Gen. V. 

Petrenko Military Thought, secret issue No 2, 1965, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 16 

February 1978.

Petrenko describes the new curriculum that was implemented in the academy at the beginning of the 1965–66 

academic year. The basic subject was general tactics and combined-arms combat, with more time devoted to 

modern strategic and operational weapons, equipment and techniques. Both nuclear and conventional warfare 

would be covered. A new subject would be warfare against enemy means of control, stressing automated troop 

control, cybernetics, and the use of computers. Training methodologies would be improved, and ideological 

training would retain its importance.

Document VII-221. "General Staff Academy Lectures: The Preparation and Conduct of Front and Army 

Offensive Operations", prepared by Col. Gen. I.S. Glebov, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 

28 July 1978 [DOI, 4 March 1969].

The document is a translation of a lecture prepared by Col. Gen. I.S. Glebov. Glebov assumes nuclear weapons 

would be employed in any future war on a limited or an unlimited basis. He addresses the importance of 

surprise and the need for preemptive nuclear strikes in Soviet planning. He sets forth the objectives, 

characteristics, and methods of conducting modern-day offensive operations at the front and army level.
Document VII-222. The Front Offensive Operation, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 15 

June 1979 [DOI, May 1977].

The document is a translation of top secret 1977 lecture materials from the Soviet General Staff Academy. The 

materials comprehensively and systematically describe the organization and capabilities of the basic 

components of a Soviet front in an offensive operation in the Western theater. The document is a major 

contribution to the evolution of Soviet offensive doctrine. It reflects military plans for dealing with the 

perceived strengths and capabilities of opposing NATO theater forces at the operational and strategic levels. It 

provides a valuable and candid appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of a front in both nuclear and 

conventional environments. It also has a nontechnical assessment of the performance of missiles, electronic 

warfare, and reconnaissance forces and a detailed treatment of command and control.

Document VII-223. Front Offensive Operations, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 27 

September 1979 [DOI, 1974].

The document is a General Staff Academy textbook prepared by approximately 20 members of the faculty. It 

deals systemically with all aspects of an offensive operation that are the direct responsibility of the front

command. It is oriented toward the Western Theater of Operations and has no radical departures from previous 

doctrine. The offensive was expected to advance at a rate of 40 to 60 kilometers a day. Nuclear operations are 

discussed separately from conventional operations, but constant nuclear readiness is stressed. Logistics and 

control are subjects of entire chapters. There are statements on the offensive use of chemical and biological 

weapons and references to airborne assault units that are distinguished from the airborne landing forces and are 

associated with helicopter landings.

Document VII-224. "General Staff Academy Lessons: Table of Contents and Lesson No. 2: The Preparation 

and Critique of the Plan of the Initial Nuclear Strike", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 

18 April 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson is for instruction of students acting as front chiefs of staff in planning an initial nuclear strike with 

376 nuclear warheads in the area of NATO Northern Army Group.

Document VII-225. "General Staff Academy Lesson No.1c: Preparation and Reporting of Proposals of 

the Chief of Rocket Troops and Artillery on the Combat Employment of Rocket Troops and Artillery 

in a Front Offensive Operation", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 23 April 1980 [DOI, 

1977].

The lesson instructs students acting as front chiefs of rocket troops and artillery in planning an initial nuclear 

strike with 360 nuclear missiles in the area of NATO Northern Army Group. It outlines tasks, NATO targets, 

the main axes of attack, Soviet missile and artillery strength, and allocation of nuclear missiles. It also outlines 

tasks, allocations and densities of artillery, and the time factors affecting the movement, deployment, and 

launch preparations for missiles units.

Document VII-226. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 1f: Work of the Nuclear Planning Group Using 

the Calculations Performed on Electronic Computers to Substantiate the Decision to Be Adopted by 

the Commander on Employing Nuclear Weapons in an Operation", CIA/DO Intelligence Information 

Special Report, 1 May 1980 [DOI, 1977].

It presents a General Staff Academy lesson about the task of the nuclear planning group of a front staff to 

process computerized calculations and prepare and submit the conclusions and proposals needed by a 

commander to decide how to use nuclear weapons.

Document VII-227. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 3: The Preparation and Critique of the Front

Operational Directive for an Offensive Operation", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 9 

May 1980 [DOI, 1977].
The lesson is on the role of front chiefs of staff in preparing and developing the operational directive for an 

offensive operation. It outlines the study references, the content of the directive, and the function of the lesson 

director.

Document VII-228. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 4, The Making and Critique of the Decision of 

the Commander of the Air Army on Combat Actions in a Front Offensive Operation", CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 23 May 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson involves the planning by the commander of the front air army for the initial nuclear strike, first 

massed conventional strike, and support for ground forces during a front offensive operation in the northern 

area of West Germany.

Document VII-229. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 7a: Preparation and Critique of the Plan of the 

Combat Employment of the Rocket Troops and Artillery in a Front Offensive Operation", CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 6 June 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson is a group exercise by students acting as front chiefs of rocket troops and artillery. They planned, 

including preparation and time factors, for initial and subsequent nuclear strikes in the northern area of West 

Germany.

Document VII-230. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 12: Study of the Radioelectronic Warfare Plan 

in the Front Offensive Operation", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 12 June 1980 [DOI, 

1977].

The lesson involves planning for the electronic neutralization of NATO reconnaissance, communications, and 

control systems during a front offensive against the NATO Northern Army Group. It provides the types of 

electronic warfare targets that would be selected for nuclear attack and for electronic neutralization.

Document VII-231. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 11: Critique of the Plan of Operational Cover 

and Deployment of the Front's Troops and Their Occupation of the Departure Position for the 

Offensive", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 12 June 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson covers an assessment of NATO nuclear, ground, air, air defense and naval forces; Warsaw Pact 

covering forces and their functions; the role of the Combined Baltic Fleet; radioelectronic warfare; engineer 

preparation of the terrain; bridging and roads; air, air defense, and antitank forces and actions; movement and 

readiness time factors; camouflage; and force control measures.

Document VII-232. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 6: Study of the Basic Diagram of the 

Mathematical Model of a Front Offensive Operation", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 

20 June 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson deals in general terms with the formulation, development, content, electronic computer processing, 

evaluation, and employment of the mathematical model of a front offensive operation in its nonnuclear and 

nuclear stages.

Document VII-233. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 19: Preparation and Critique of the Plan for the 

Front Offensive Operation", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 3 July 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson addresses overall planning by a front chief of staff for an offensive in the area of the NATO 

Northern Army Group.

Document VII-234. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 9: Preparation and Critique of the Plan for 

Reconnaissance in the Front Offensive Operation", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 25 

July 1980 [DOI, 1977].
The lesson is a combination of individual study and a group exercise, the substance of which was the planning 

for reconnaissance in support of the front offensive against the NATO Northern Army Group.

Document VII-235. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 1b: The Organization of the Work of the Front

Field Headquarters in the Preparation of an Offensive Operation", CIA/DO Intelligence Information 

Special Report, 25 July1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson is intended to instruct students about the role of directorate chiefs in front operations, emphasizing 

the organization, time factors, personnel allocation, and coordination of the planning for a front operation.

Document VII-236. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 5: Study and Critique of The Decision of the 

Commander of the Combined Baltic Fleet on the Combat Actions of the Fleet's Forces in the Front

Offensive Operation", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 7 August 1980 [DOI, 1977]. 

The lesson broadly addresses, in the context of a front offensive operation, the overall mission; the strength in 

submarine, surface, and naval aviation in those areas; the specific tasks and NATO targets; the allocation and 

targeting of nuclear munitions; and the location of fleet control posts. The students acted as commanders of the 

Combined Baltic Fleet in an offensive in the Baltic and North Seas in cooperation with the Coastal Front.

Document VII-237. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 8: Study and Critique of the Plan of the 

Amphibious Landing Operation, disseminated 14 August 1980 [DOI, on 1977].

The lesson deals with the content of a plan for an amphibious assault to be included in a front operation.

Document VII-238. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 7b: Preparation and Critique of the Plan of the 

Combat Employment of the Rocket Troops and Artillery in the Front Offensive Operation: Planning 

the Combat Employment of Artillery", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 14 August 1980 

[DOI, 1977].

The lesson lays out the tasks of the artillery during the repulse of a NATO breakthrough of defensive lines and 

a subsequent deep offensive into the operational depth of NATO forces. It provides details about Warsaw Pact 

artillery densities and which NATO areas and combat units to attack.

Document VII-239. "General Staff Academy Lesson No.1d: Operational Calculations with the Use of an 

Electronic Computer to Determine the Capabilities of the Air Defense Forces and Means of the 

Front to Repel Massed Enemy Air Attacks", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 22 August 

1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson provides instructions in the use of the MINSK-32 computer to calculate air defense capabilities 

needed to repel a mass air strike from two different axes.

Document VII-240. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 10: Preparation and Critique of the Plan of Air 

Defense in the Front Offensive Operation", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 22 August 

1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson outlines the steps to be followed by the front chief of air defense troops in planning and organizing 

the air defense of the front troops in an offensive operation in the northern area of West Germany.

Document VII-241. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 20b: The Transition of Front Troops to the 

Offensive with the Simultaneous Repulse of the Enemy Invasion", CIA/DO Intelligence Information 

Special Report, 29 August 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson describes a conventionally armed NATO air strike and ground invasion of East Germany and the 

actions taken and proposals made by a Soviet front commander, his army commanders, and important staff 

officers to repulse the invasion and initiate offensive actions in the northern part of West Germany.
Document VII-242. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 1e: Decision-Making and Critique of the Front

Commander's Decision for the Offensive Operation", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 

19 September 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson involves the decision-making, planning, and instructions of a front commander for a front offensive 

operation with both conventional and nuclear weapons across the north German plain to the Netherlands and 

Belgium.

Document VII-243. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 26d: Controlling Front Troops during the 

Commitment to Battle of the Front's Second Echelon", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 

19 September 1980 [DOI, 1997].

The lesson describes the condition and disposition of front forces in an offensive operation in the northern part 

of West Germany at the time of the commitment of the front second echelon to the battle. It focuses on the 

composition and use of forward and airborne control posts to control the commitment.

Document VII-244. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 26c: Organizing Air Defense when Committing 

the Front's Second Echelon to Battle", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 26 September 

1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson outlines the material covered by the chief of the front air defense troops in planning and organizing 

the employment of air defense troops when the front second echelon is to be committed to battle in an 

offensive operation against the NATO Northern Army Group.

Document VII-245. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 26e: Engineer Support of the Movement 

Forward and Commitment to Battle of the Front's Second Echelon Involving the Crossing of Nuclear 

Minefields and Demolitions", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 26 September 1980 [DOI, 

1977].

The lesson outlines the tasks to be accomplished by engineer troops in support of the movement forward and 

commitment to battle of the tank army constituting a front second echelon in an offensive in the northern area 

of West Germany.

Document VII-246. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 26a: Organizing the Commitment of the Front's

Second Echelon to Battle", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 3 October 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson outlines the activities and contributions of a front commander, his key staff officers, and his air 

army and tank army commanders to develop an offensive operation for the second-echelon tank army when it 

is committed to battle across the northern area of West Germany.

Document VII-247. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 1a: The Making and Critique of the Decision of 

the Front Commander for an Offensive Operation", CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Special Report, 24 

October 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson is the first of a series. It outlines the overall situation, opposing orders of battle, and tasks to be 

dealt with by a Soviet front commander, his principal staff officers, and air army commander in conducting an 

offensive operation, with both conventional and nuclear weapons, across the North German plain to the 

Netherlands and Belgium against the NATO Northern Army Group.

Document VII-248. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 26b: Organizing the Combat Employment of the 

Rocket Troops and Artillery when Committing the Front's Second Echelon to Battle", CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 31 October 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson provides details of a typical rocket troop and artillery order of battle for a front and the nuclear and 

fire destruction tasks to be accomplished when a second-echelon army is committed to battle in a front

offensive across the northern area of West Germany.
Document VII-249. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 26f: Rear Services Support of Troops in the 

Course of an Offensive Operation when Committing the Front's Second Echelon to Battle", CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 31 October 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson involves a front deputy commander for the rear and his rear chief of staff in planning and 

organizing the transportation of supplies, treatment and evacuation of wounded and sick, movement forward of 

supply bases, and the ammunition, fuel, and food stuffs required to support the commitment to battle of a 

second-echelon tank army in the development of a front offensive across the northern part of West Germany.

Document VII-250. "General Staff Academy Lesson: Reconnaissance in Front Offensive Operations", 

CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 31 October 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The document contains reference materials used by students in planning and organizing reconnaissance in 

front offensive operations against the NATO Northern Army Group.

Document VII-251. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 13: Preparation and Critique of the Plan of 

Protection of the Troops and Rear Services against Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Offensive 

Operation", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 7 November 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson outlines the measures to be considered by a front operations directorate chief and chief of chemical 

troops in organizing and implementing the radiation, chemical and biological protection of the troops in a front

offensive across the northern area of West Germany and into the Netherlands.

Document VII-252. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 21c: Combat Actions of Front and Army 

Aviation in the Breakthrough of the Enemy Defense", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 7 

November 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson outlines the steps to be taken by an air army commander for the nonnuclear air preparation and 

support of a breakthrough of NATO defenses during a front offensive operation in West Germany.

Document VII-253. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 22b: Combat Actions of Front and Army 

Aviation when Developing an Offensive Operation with the Commitment of the Front's Second 

Echelon to Battle", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 14 November 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson outlines the tasks and resources of a front air army in supporting the first two days of battle in an 

operation against NATO's invading Northern Army Group. The main tasks were to reconnoiter for and destroy 

NATO's missile and nuclear means and to support and cover front ground forces.

Document VII-254. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 14: Planning the Engineer Support for an 

Offensive Operation of the Coastal Front", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 21 

November 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson sets forth the various tasks to be accomplished by front engineer troops: for example, the 

preparation of routes, river crossings, troop and firing positions, obstacles, and radar deception and camouflage 

measures in a front offensive operation across the northern area of West Germany.

Document VII-255. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 15: Organizing the Control of Front Troops in 

an Offensive Operation", CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Special Report, 28 November 1980 [DOI, 

1977].

The lesson involves students acting as the chief of a front's operations directorate in planning and organizing 

troop control in a front offensive operation with conventional and nuclear weapons against NATO forces.

Document VII-256. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 17, Organizing Communications in a Front

Offensive Operation", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 19 December 1980 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson provides details of the organization of the command and control organization of the command and 
control communications facilities, units, and the equipment used by a front headquarters to control its major 

subordinate elements in a front offensive operation across the North German Plain to Belgium.

Document VII-257. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 24a, The Transition of Front Troops to the 

Conduct of Combat Actions under Conditions of the Employment of Nuclear Weapons by the Sides", 

CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 23 January 1981 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson provides details about the conditions prompting the delivery of a front's initial nuclear strike, the 

proposals of the front chief of staff, and the front commander's modifications and amplifications of these 

proposals as they pertain to the allocation of nuclear missiles and bombs, the targets for the initial nuclear 

strike, and protective measures to be taken by front troops to lessen or counteract the effects of NATO's 

possible use of nuclear weapons in an offensive operation across the northern area of West Germany.

Document VII-258. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 18: Development and Critique of the Plan of the 

Organization of Rear Services Support of Front Troops in an Offensive Operation", CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 30 January 1981 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson outlines the steps and factors involved in organizing the logistic support of a front in an offensive 

operation, including its materiel and fuel requirements, estimated combat casualties, and tank and vehicle 

repair and evacuation capabilities.

Document VII-259. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 23: Relocation of Control Posts in the Course of 

a Front Offensive Operation. Work of the Airborne Control Post", CIA/DO Intelligence Information 

Special Report, 27 February 1981 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson describes the procedures, time and distance factors, and aircraft and motor vehicles used in 

relocating a front's command, alternate command post, and rear control post during a front offensive operation 

in West Germany.

Document VII-260. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 22a: Developing an Offensive Operation with 

the Commitment to Battle of the Front's Second Echelon", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special 

Report, 6 March 1981 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson outlines the points covered by a front chief of staff and front commander in estimating a situation, 

drawing up balances of forces, submitting proposals for the commitment to battle of the second echelon to 

encircle and destroy a major grouping of NATO ground forces, and in allocating conventional fire and air 

support for these combat actions in northern Germany.

Document VII-261. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 21a: The Breakthrough by Front Troops of the 

Prepared Enemy Defense: Organizing the Breakthrough of the Enemy Defense", CIA/DO Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 6 March 1981 [DOI, 1997].

The lesson outlines the decisions a front commander would make after hearing the reports of key staff officers 

on the order of battle of NATO and Warsaw Pact forces.

Document VII-262. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 24b: Control of Rocket Troops and Artillery 

during Preparation and Delivery of the Initial Nuclear Strike in the Course of an Offensive 

Operation", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 20 March 1981 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson provides details about the organization and content of a front's initial nuclear strike with 167 

missiles in the first launch against NATO forces in an offensive in northern West Germany.

Document VII-263. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 25a: Restoring the Combat Effectiveness of the 

Troops, Eliminating the Aftereffects of the Employment of Weapons of Mass Destruction by the 

Enemy, and Developing the Operation", CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Special Report, 24 April 1981 
[DOI, 1977].

The lesson describes the losses sustained by a front and by one of its armies after a NATO nuclear and toxic 

chemical agent strike, and the losses of NATO's Northern Army Group after the front's initial and follow-up 

nuclear strikes.

Document VII-264. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 28: Development of the Offensive on the 

Opposite Bank of a Wide Water Obstacle with the Simultaneous Repulse of an Enemy 

Counterthrust", CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Special Report, 24 April 1981 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson describes a Soviet front's assessment of the NATO enemy, front objectives, balance of forces, air 

army missions, and tasking of the front's five ground armies, one army corps, and air army in the final phase of 

an offensive drive into the Netherlands and Belgium.

Document VII-265. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 16: Preparing the Plan and Organizing 

Cooperation of the Front Troops in an Offensive Operation", CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Special 

Report, 1 May 1981 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson lays out the steps taken by a front commander; his chiefs of rocket troops, artillery and air defense 

troops; and air and ground army commanders in coordinating their actions, both nuclear and nonnuclear, in 

repulsing a NATO invasion, preempting a NATO nuclear strike, breaking through the defense of NATO's 

Northern Army Group, and committing a second-echelon army to battle.

Document VII-266. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 27b: Engineer Support for the Front Troops' 

Assault Crossing of Water Obstacles from the March", CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Special Report, 

15 May 1981 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson is a translation describing the tasking and allocation of front and army engineer units for 

reconnaissance, route preparation, and assault crossing of the Rhine, Maas, and Ijssel rivers for an offensive 

drive into The Netherlands. Of interest is the stress placed on the neutralization of NATO's radio control over 

nuclear and land mine detonations by front radioelectronic warfare units and jamming helicopters. Also worthy 

of note is the measure to prepare 13 dummy bridges, indicative of the importance of deception.

Document VII-267. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 25b: Refining the Decision on the Development 

of the Offensive Operation", CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Special Report, 22 May 1981 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson describes a front commander's orders to his chief of staff, principal troop commanders, and the 

logistic, engineer, and chemical chiefs on the development of a nuclear-supported offensive against NATO's 

Northern Army Group and on the elimination of the aftereffects of a massed NATO nuclear strike.

Document VII-268. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 27a: Making the Decision for the Assault 

Crossing of a Wide Water Obstacle from the March", CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Special Report, 

12 June 1981 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson provides an estimate of the situation and the tasking of a front's major ground and air elements, 

electronic neutralization units, and engineer troop units in an offensive drive against NATO's Northern Army 

Group, an assault crossing of the Rhine and Ijssel rivers in or close to the Netherlands, and the capture of the 

North Sea coast and northern Ruhr industrial area.

Document VII-269. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 21b: Organizing the Combat Actions of the 

Front Rocket Troops and Artillery in the Breakthrough of the Enemy Defense", CIA/DO Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 31 July 1981 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson deals with the preparation, organization, tasking, and quantitative data needed for the employment 

of conventional artillery in the breakthrough by a front of a NATO defense line in the northern area of 

Germany.
Document VII-270. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 22a: Supplementary Material: Developing an 

Offensive Operation with the Commitment to Battle of the Front's Second Echelon", CIA/DO, 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 5 August 1981 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson provides supplementary material for the lesson concerning the development of an offensive to 

encircle and destroy NATO ground forces in the northern area of West Germany.

Document VII-271. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 21: The Breakthrough by Front Troops of the 

Prepared Enemy Defense: Supplementary Material", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 14 

August 1981 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson is one of a new collection of 29 lectures, classified top secret, for use in the Soviet General Staff 

Academy. It is the first of 10 of those lessons dealing with conducting an initial offensive employing only 

conventional weapons, with a transition to the use of nuclear weapons. The lesson provides supplementary 

material used to instruct students acting as a front commander, his chiefs of intelligence, operations, and air 

defense troops, and his air army commander in presenting reports covering data on the enemy's situation and 

probable actions.

Document VII-272. "General Staff Academy Lesson No. 29: The Preparation and Critique of the 

Operational Summary (SITREP) of the Front Staff", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 21 

August 1981 [DOI, 1977].

This is the second of ten lessons dealing with conducting an initial offensive employing only conventional 

weapons, with a transition to the use of nuclear weapons. This lesson was intended to instruct students acting 

as senior officers of a front operations directorate and as chiefs of the intelligence directorate in the preparation 

of the front's air operational summary.

Document VII-273. "General Staff Academy Supplementary Material for Lesson No. 1: Report of the Chief 

of the Operations Directorate of the Coastal Front", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 5 

February 1982 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson contains seven short reports by the commander of the Coastal Front and his principal staff officers 

on initiating an offensive operation with both conventional and nuclear weapons against NATO's Northern 

Army Group.

Document VII-274. "General Staff Academy Supplementary Material for Lesson No. 1s: Reports by the 

Commander and Chief of Staff of the Combined Baltic Fleet", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special 

Report, 8 February 1982 [DOI, 1977].

The lesson contains two reports by a Soviet naval commander and the chief of staff of the Warsaw Pact's 

Combined Baltic Fleet on proposed actions for the fleet in the North and Baltic Seas in support of the Coastal 

Front's ground forces offensive operation in northern Germany.

↑ BACK TO CHAPTER 7

DOCUMENTS ABOUT WARSAW PACT EXERCISES

This section contains a selection of military-exercise or war-game-related reports. In the aggregate this 

information provided the basis for many important analytic judgments about the organization and management 

of the Warsaw Pact forces arrayed against NATO and the essence of Warsaw Pact war plans. Some singularly 

important war game information is listed in the Warsaw Pact war planning section. For an authoritative and 

exhaustive presentation about the importance of Warsaw Pact exercises by a source in a position to know, see 

Documents VII-324, VII-325, VII-326 and VII-328 at the end of this section.
Document VII-275. Schedule of National and Warsaw Pact Military Exercises for Polish Forces for 

1974, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 5 April 1974 [DOI, December 1973].

The document is a translation of a secret Polish General Staff schedule of national and Warsaw Pact exercises 

involving Polish military forces in 1974.

Document VII-276. The Setting and Conclusions for Warsaw Pact Exercise Baryer (Bariera)-73, 

CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 30 January 1974 [DOI, June 1973].

The reporting is a translation of two secret Polish Ministry of National Defense documents. One is a 

memorandum from the Polish Minister of Defense to the First Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party 

[the Polish Communist Party] on the general participation of Soviet and East German forces, the areas included 

in the exercise—both conceptual and actual—and some of the tasks related to the movement of Soviet forces 

and supplies through Poland. The memorandum also provides details about Polish participation and designates 

a Polish officer as deputy to the chief of the training exercise for Polish Army "matters" and who actually 

participated in the exercise. The second document is a translation of the end-of-exercise report to the Polish 

Minister of Defense from the Polish officer who participated in the exercise. It recommends incorporating a 

new "organizational structure" of rear services for Soviet and other Warsaw Pact forces by Polish forces. Both 

the shortcomings in Russian language competence by Polish troops and in collaboration among the various 

forces continued unresolved during the period, the rosy ending of the report notwithstanding.

Document VII-277. Polish Critique of Military Exercise Kraj-73, CIA/DO Intelligence Information 

Special Report, 23 May 1974 [DOI, 17 May 1973].

The document is a translation of a secret Polish Ministry of National Defense document. According to the 

critiques, the first phase of the exercise, which took place 16-19 April 1973, involved the progression through 

states of readiness of both the military and civilian components of the forces and infrastructure. The period 

lasted for 11 days. The second phase, military operations including movement to the front, began the next day 

and was accomplished while ground conflict in Germany was under way and Poland was under air attack. The 

exercise examined likely disruptions in the national economic system and the mobilization process. 

Unfortunately the details of the exercise were not discussed.

Document VII-278. "Table of Contents of Five Issues from a Secret Soviet publication, Information 

Collection of the Headquarters of the Combined Armed Forces, a Warsaw Pact journal published by the 

Warsaw Pact headquarters in Moscow, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 6 June 1974 [DOI, 

1970-1973].

The document provides the titles of the articles appearing in the first five issues of the journal, published from 

late December 1970 to early 1973.

Document VII-279. "Summaries of Warsaw Pact Exercises of 1972", a Warsaw Pact journal article from a 

secret Soviet publication, Information Collection of the Headquarters of the Combined Armed Forces, 

Issue No. 4, late 1972, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 7 June 1974.

The document consists of summaries of Warsaw Pact exercises: Soyuz-72, Val-72, Vesna-72, and Elektron, a 

joint Soviet-Polish exercise, and ATKA-72, an East German Exercise.

Document VII-280. "The Experience of Organizing Communications in a Combined Operational-Tactical 

Exercise", by Maj. Gen. L. Stakh, a Warsaw Pact journal article, from a secret Soviet publication, Information 

Collection of the Headquarters and Technical Committee of the Combined Armed Forces, issue No. 6, 

1974, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 15 May 1975 [DOI, 1972].

Stakh examines several aspects of the planning, organization, and provision of communications in the 

combined operational-tactical exercise Shield-72. A unified communications system was used, which involved 
civilian facilities and personnel, but did not require exchanging military communications personnel and 

equipment with participating allies.

Document VII-281. "From the Exercise Sphere-1971 Exercises", a Warsaw Pact journal article, from a secret 

Soviet publication, Information Collection of the Headquarters and Technical Committee of the 

Combined Armed Forces, issue No. 2, January-April 1971, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special 

Report, 20 May 1975.

The article reviews eight exercises held in different Warsaw Pact countries in early 1971.

Document VII-282. Discussion of "Jesien II-73" Exercise by Chief of the Polish General Staff, Major 

General Florian Siwicki, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 21 May 1975 [DOI, September 

1973].

General Siwicki reviews the threat to the socialist system and the requirement of the Polish armed forces to 

protect the transit zone for the support of the combat operations of the Combined Armed Forces of the Warsaw 

Pact. He then used his critique of the "Jesien II-73" exercise, which was designed to test the effectiveness of 

the coordinated command of all Polish air defense forces, to demonstrate where improvements should be 

made.

Document VII-283. "From the Exercise Sphere—The Soyuz-73 Operational War Game on Maps", a Warsaw 

Pact journal article from a secret Soviet publication, Information Collection of the Headquarters and 

Technical Committee of the Combined Armed Forces, issue No. 5, February 1973, CIA/DO Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 27 May 1975.

The article reviews the results of the Soyuz-73 war game for ground forces, air defense, and naval staffs of 

Romanian, Bulgarian and Soviet forces. The game included planning an initial nuclear strike, the restoration of 

combat effectiveness, and the development of an offensive in the operational depth.

Document VII-284. "From the Exercise Sphere-1973 Exercises", a Warsaw Pact journal article from a secret 

Soviet publication, Information Collection of the Headquarters and Technical Committee of the 

Combined Armed Forces, issue No. 6, February 1974, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 28 

May 1975 [DOI, 1973].

The article reviews the results of seven exercises held by Warsaw Pact forces in 1973: Bashty-73 commandstaff exercise in Hungary; Sever-73 combined two-stage army command-staff exercise in East Germany; 

Fevral-73 multilevel command-staff exercise involving elements of the Polish armed forces and Belorussian 

Military District; the Neytron-73 combined front command-staff exercise with communications in 

Czechoslovakia; a combined-arms tactical exercise in the Silesian Military District of Poland; an allied naval 

exercise and roadstead assembly in the Black Sea; and a combined naval exercise in the Baltic.

Document VII-285. "Certain Problems in the Conduct of Tactical-Special Exercises by Communications 

Troops a Warsaw Pact journal article, by Maj. Gen. G. Enchu, published in the secret Soviet publication, 

Information Collection of the Headquarters and Technical Committee of the Combined Armed 

Forces, issue No. 6, February 1974, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 29 May 1975.

This article summarizes the results of recent combined tactical exercises involving communications troops. 

The author reviews typical problems, such as the setting up of lines, distribution of frequencies, training 

requirements, radio camouflage and protective measures, proper installation and operation, jamming and 

countermeasures.

Document VII-286. "The Organization and Conduct of a Ground Forces and Aviation Operational-Tactical 

Exercise with Field Firings and Bombings", a Warsaw Pact journal article by Col. Gen. A. Semerdzhiyev from 

a secret Soviet publication, Information Collection of the Headquarters and Technical Committee of the 
Combined Armed Forces, issue No. 5, 1973, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 26 August 

1975 [DOI, August 1972].

Semerdzhiyev describes the Tundzha-72 combined exercise held in Bulgaria with the participation of 

Romanian ground and air elements. The exercise included combined long-distance marches, the crossing of a 

forward security zone, a breakthrough of a fortified area, reconnaissance, and night combat actions.

Document VII-287. "The Preparation and Conduct of Command-Staff Exercises, Based on the Experience of 

the Polish Armed Forces", a Warsaw Pact journal article, by B. Gen. Khupalovski, published by the secret 

Soviet publication, Information Collection of the Headquarters and Technical Committee of the 

Combined Armed Forces, Issue No. 2, 1971, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 27 August 

1975 [DOI, September 1971].

Khupalovski deals with various aspects of command-staff exercises conducted on maps and in the field with 

communications means. He explores the advantages of using skeleton troops in exercises in the field and ways 

of improving cooperation in combined operations with other Warsaw Pact forces.

Document VII-288. Report of the Chief of Staff of the Combined Armed Forces on the Val-74 

Command-Staff Exercise for Allied Fleets in the Baltic Sea, held in September 1974, CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 9 January 1976.

The exercise, described in this report, includes skeleton forces from East Germany, Poland and the USSR. The 

objectives were to gain supremacy in the Baltic Sea and to assist a coastal front. The report identified the 

specific targets, examined the organization and cooperation among the participating fleets, and described the 

situation and the decisions of the commanders involved at the three stages of the exercise. It also provided a 

brief outline of combat actions and stressed the need to master control under radioelectronic warfare conditions 

and to automate the entire control process.

Document VII-289. Themes and Time Schedule of Polish and Warsaw Pact Military Training 

Exercises in 1976, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 9 January 1976 [DOI, late 1975].

The document is a translation of a Polish military document. Part I lists the themes of Polish armed forces 

training exercises. Part II is the schedule for exercises to be conducted during 1976 by the Polish armed forces 

and by Warsaw Pact forces with Polish participation.

Document VII-290. "Actions of the Skeleton Troops during the Operational Command-Staff Exercise Soyuz74", a Warsaw Pact journal article, by Lt. Gen. K. Arsenyev, Col. V. Sopot, and Col. V. Zhilenkov, from a 

secret Soviet publication, Information Collection of the Headquarters and Technical Committee of the 

Combined Armed Forces, issue # 8 1975, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 24 February 

1976 [DOI, May 1974].

The authors review the Soyuz-74 command-staff exercise held in Hungary and Czechoslovakia in May 1974 

covering defensive operations, an assault-crossing of the Danube River, and restoration of the combat 

effectiveness of troops following a nuclear attack. Tactical exercises repaired and rehabilitated military 

equipment, restored and decontaminated railroad installations and equipment, reconstructed a rail line, and 

assembled a highway bridge. Another exercise dealt with the seizure and destruction of nuclear land mines.

Document VII-291. "Tactical Exercises of Air Defense Large Units with Field Firing", a Warsaw Pact journal 

article, by Maj. Gen. Y. Remek, from a secret Soviet publication, Information Collection of the 

Headquarters and Technical Committee of the Combined Armed Forces, issue No. 8, 1975, CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 25 February 1976.

Remek criticizes the lack of field firing and jamming experience among the inadequacies of air defense 

training, which caused the training to fall short of requirements. To remedy the situation, future plans called 

for conducting regular exercises under complex conditions.
Document VII-292. "The Preparation and Conduct of Large-Scale Operational-Tactical Exercises of the 

Combined Armed Forces", a Warsaw Pact journal article, by Col. Gen. K. Rusov, from a secret Soviet 

publication, Information Collection of the Headquarters and Technical Committee of the Combined 

Armed Forces, issue No. 5 1973, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 13 April 1976 [DOI, 

September 1972].

Rusov reviews the Shield-72 combined operational-tactical exercise held in Czechoslovakia in September 

1972 with forces from East Germany, Poland, Hungary and the USSR. He outlines the political and 

operational-tactical training goals and describes a combined conference to determine preliminary groundwork 

and the planning and preparatory work. The exercise was two-sided and conducted in three phases. Problems 

worked out included an assault crossing of the Elbe River, negotiation of obstacles, operations with nuclear 

weapons, and airborne landings.

Document VII-293. Concept of the Combined Operational-Tactical Exercise of the Warsaw Pact 

Forces Shield-76, a top secret Combined Armed Forces document issued by the Polish Ministry of defense, 

CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Special Report, 30 June 1976 [DOI, January-March 1976].

The exercise was held in central and western Poland in early September 1976. The theme of the one-sided, 

multilevel command staff exercise was to repel an enemy invasion and conduct an offensive, including 

repelling a counterthrust, encircling an enemy group, assault crossing water obstacles, and landing airborne 

forces. The "Eastern" forces were the Northern Front with forces from Czechoslovakia, Poland, East Germany 

and the USSR in opposition to the Northern Army Group with the 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force.

Document VII-294. Mobilization Alert Exercise of the Polish 13th Mechanized Regiment Criticized 

for Poor and Inadequate Performance, CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Special Report, 2 July 1976 

[DOI, 6 June 1975].

The document is a translation of a Polish General Staff report, Attaining Full Combat Readiness in an 

Alert Area by the 13th Mechanized Regiment. The exercise, which took place on 6 June 1975, was 

apparently a "tragicomedy" of confusion, ineptitude, and lack of discipline. The report has a detailed TO&E of 

a Polish mechanized regiment.

Document VII-295. "Comments of the Commander-In-Chief of the Combined Armed Forces on Two Warsaw 

Pact Command-Staff Exercises", CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Special Report, 9 December 1976 [DOI, 

25 August 1976].

The report is a translation of a secret Russian message dated 25 August 1976 that conveys the comments of the 

CINC of the Combined Armed Forces on command-staff exercises held in Hungary and East Germany in July 

1976. He describes the training problems covered in the exercises and the deficiencies revealed in maintaining 

cooperation between air and ground forces and in assessing the balance of forces.

Document VII-296. Warsaw Pact Exercise "Shield-76", CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Special Report, 

23 December 1976 [DOI, September 1976].

The report is a translation of a September 1976 Polish Ministry of National Defense document classified 

secret. The exhaustive report included scenarios and schedules for the exercise and details of the Polish, Czech, 

East German and Soviet units, including locations, TO&Es, and operations plans.

Document VII-297. Draft of the Discussion of Exercise "Shield-76", by the chief of staff of the Polish 

General Staff, CIA/DO, Intelligence Information Special Report, 15 February 1977 [DOI, September 1976].

The document is a translation of a Polish document classified secret. It reviews the scenario and recounts the 

specific "episodes" to be played out at various training areas. The document describes the use and effects of 

nuclear weapons by and on both sides.
Document VII-298. Critique of Exercise "Shield-76", by the Polish Minister of National Defense, CIA/DO, 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 11 April 1977 [DOI, September 1976p.

The document discusses the ideological and political context within which the exercise was conducted. It also 

provides a review of the purposes of the exercise, how the exercise was conducted, and the results of the 

various operations carried out in the exercise. The author compares Warsaw Pact capabilities with those of 

NATO and emphasizes efforts to counter anticipated NATO moves and advantages. The Minister concludes 

the exercise demonstrated the success of efforts to unify the Warsaw Pact armies and standardize their 

equipment.

Document VII-299. "Locations of Polish National Air Defense, Antiaircraft, Air, and Naval Forces 

Participating in Exercise 'ZIMA [winter]-75,'" CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 14 April 1977 

[DOI, mid-1975].

The document is a translation of the title and unit abbreviations appearing on a Polish military map used in the 

ZIMA-75 exercise. The map is titled "Plan for Control of the Combat Readiness of National Air Defense, 

Antiaircraft, Air and Naval Forces Participating in the Exercise 'ZIMA [winter]-75'".

Document VII-300. "[1] Major Upcoming Warsaw Pact CPX [Command Post Exercise] Exercise [2] Warsaw 

Pact Baltic Fleet and Rear Service Exercises", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 6 May 1977 

[DOI, March 1977].

The document provides information about the Soviet General Staff's planning for a major strategic commandstaff exercise in mid-March 1977. The exercise was to involve the armed forces staffs of the USSR, Poland, 

Czechoslovakia, and East Germany and commence on 21 May 1977. It was intended to be on an 

unprecedented scale, with Soviet Defense Minister Ustinov in charge. The report also provides information on 

the Combined Baltic Fleet exercise conducted 27 June to 7 July 1977.

Document VII-301. "The Experience Gained in Conducting Combined Exercises", a Warsaw Pact journal 

article, by Lt. Gen. F. Shtreletts from a Secret Soviet publication, Information Collection of the 

Headquarters and Technical Committee of the Combined Armed Forces, issue No. 10, 1975, CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 9 June 1977.

Shtreletts describes East German experience in conducting and participating in combined exercises with other 

Warsaw Pact forces.

Document VII-302. Guide on the Organization and Conduct of Combined Exercises in the Warsaw 

Pact Forces, approved 11 November 1975 by the CINC of the Combined Armed Forces; it went into effect 

on 1 January 1976, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 14 June 1977.

The document is a guide classified secret and approved by the CINC of the Combined Armed Forces in 

November 1975 for the instruction of those forces. It describes how to organize and conduct combined 

exercises involving ground, airborne, naval, air defense, tactical air forces, and communications troops. It was 

intended to serve as a handbook for senior personnel and their staffs who set up and directed the exercises 

beginning 1 January 1976.

Document VII-303. "Regarding the Publication of the "Guide On The Organization and Conduct of Combined 

Exercises of the Combined Armed Forces of the Member States of the Warsaw Pact", by Lt Gen. Konstantin 

Ivanovich Arsenyev, chief of the Directorate of Operational and Combat Training of the Combined Armed 

Forces, from a secret Soviet publication, Information Collection of the Headquarters and Technical 

Committee of the Combined Armed Forces, Issue # 11 1976, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special 

Report, 20 June 1977.

The article provides a brief review of the guide contained in Document VII-302.
Document VII-304. "Our Experience in Conducting Command-Staff Exercises", a Warsaw Pact journal 

article, by Col. Gen. T. Papazov, Deputy Minister of National Defense of the People's Republic of Bulgaria, 

published by a secret Soviet publication, Information Collection of the Headquarters and Technical 

Committee of the Combined Armed Forces, issue No. 10, 1975, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special 

Report, 4 August 1977.

The article describes the success the Bulgarian Army had in increasing efficiency in training commanders and 

staffs to meet present-day demands through theoretical investigations and experimental command-staff 

exercises at various levels.

Document VII-305. "From the Experience of the Actions of Rear Services Units and Facilities in the Tranzit74 Exercise", a Warsaw Pact journal article, by Maj. Gen. V. Semennikov and Col. V. Brazhnik, published by 

a secret Soviet publication, Information Collection of the Headquarters and Technical Committee of the 

Combined Armed Forces, issue No. 8, 1975, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 14 

September 1977 [DOI, 1974].

The article, in this clandestine report, examines a variety of tactical-special exercises carried out by the 

Bulgarian Army during the Tranzit-74 command-staff rear services exercise aimed at ensuring the successful 

accomplishment of tasks involving materiel, medical, transport, and technical support of troops in an offensive 

operation involving a nuclear attack by the enemy and its aftereffects.

Document VII-306. "Special Features of the Preparation and Conduct of Command-Staff and Tactical 

Exercises", by General-Maj. L. Morots from a Secret Soviet publication, Information Collection of the 

Headquarters and Technical Committee of the Combined Armed Forces, Issue No. 7 1974, 15 September 

1977.

Morots provides the chronology and methodology involved in preparing and conducting command-staff and 

tactical exercises in the Hungarian Army.

Document VII-307. "Operations Groups from the Staffs of Formations and Large Units of the Ground Forces 

During the Conduct of Combined Exercises", by Colonel S.M. Mitev from a Secret Soviet publication, 

Information Collection of the Headquarters and Technical Committee of the Combined Armed 

Forces, Issue No. 4, 1972, 13 October 1977.

Mitev discusses the role of the operations groups in combined operations. He covers, for example, some of the 

difficulties of control, forms, and content of combat documents and the organization of communications.

Document VII-308. "The Methodology of Preparing and Conducting a Command-Staff Exercise of Allied 

Forces", a Warsaw Pact journal article, by Col. T. Tanev from a secret Soviet publication, Information 

Collection of the Headquarters and Technical Committee of the Combined Armed Forces, issue No. 2 

1971, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 18 October 1977.

Tanev discuses several basic problems with the methodology for preparing and conducting a combined

command-staff exercise of socialist armies based on the experience accumulated to date.

Document VII-309. "A Road Troop Exercise", a Warsaw Pact journal article, by Lt. Gen. Ye. Pastushenko 

from a secret Soviet publication, Information Collection of the Headquarters and Technical Committee 

of the Combined Armed Forces, issue No. 5, 1973, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 19 

October 1977 [DOI, June 1972].

Pstushenko outlines the functions of the road troops and the role they played in the tactical special exercise of 

the Red Banner Belorussian Military District of the Soviet Army in June 1972.

Document VII-310. "The Conduct of a Tactical Exercise with Field Firing, Based on the Experience of the 

Czechoslovak People's Army", a Warsaw Pact journal article, by Maj. Ben. E. Blagut from a secret Soviet 
publication, Information Collection of the Headquarters and Technical Committee of the Combined 

Armed Forces, issue No. 2 1971, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 8 November 1977.

Blagut describes tactical exercises with field firing conducted by the Czechoslovak People's Army. He 

provides some detail on methods and equipment.

Document VII-311. "Characteristics of the Organization of Communications in Combined Exercises of Allied 

Troops", a Warsaw Pact journal article, by Maj. Gen. B.A. Komarov from a secret Soviet publication, 

Information Collection of the Headquarters and Technical Committee of the Combined Armed 

Forces, issue No. 2 1971, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 17 November 1977.

Komarov addresses communications problems that occur during combined exercises of the Warsaw Pact allies 

resulting from the different systems and equipment and from the language differences among the Warsaw Pact 

allies. The author proposes possible solutions including using a common communications system, leasing 

channels of state communications networks, and inserting personnel who know the appropriate language in the 

crews of terminal stations.

Document VII-312. List of Call-Signs for a Warsaw Pact Staff Training Exercise in the Western and 

Southwestern Theaters, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 31 May 1978 [DOI, 1978].

The document reveals some important high command relationships in the Warsaw Pact in the context of 

multitheater military operations.

Document VII-313. "Warsaw Pact Combined Staff Training Exercise April 1978", CIA/DO Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 8 August 1978 [DOI, March 1978].

The document is a written notice from Marshal of the Soviet Union N. Ogarkov, chief of the General Staff of 

the Soviet Armed Forces, to General of Arms F. Siwicki, chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed 

Forces, alerting him to the Warsaw Pact combined staff training exercise, 5-7 April 1978. The purpose of the 

exercise was to practice control of the armed forces between H-hour and H+12 hours.

Document VII-314. War Game Scenario—Central Europe—1978, CIA/DO Intelligence Information 

Special Report, 17 August 1978 [DOI, March 1978].

The document is a scenario developed by the Directing Staff of the Polish Ministry of National Defense. It 

describes a large-scale NATO attack on the Warsaw Pact using conventional means. It describes a Warsaw 

Pact combined-forces counterattack with heavy losses. A situation map outlines NATO and Polish 

dispositions, orders of battle, and movement of forces. Loss statistics are included for the Polish forces and 

industrial plants engaged in defense work.

Document VII-315. "The Warsaw Pact Soyuz-78 Exercise", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 

22 September 1978 [DOI, 31 May 1978].

The secret memorandum is from the CINC of the Combined Armed Forces to Warsaw Pact defense ministers 

reporting on the SOYUZ-78 operational-strategic command-staff map exercise held in Romania in March 

1978. The exercise involved the Bulgarian and Romanian Defense Ministers and staff officers and Combined 

and Soviet Armed Forces personnel, who worked on the control and support of coalition groupings within the 

context of a strategic operation, centrally directed by a high command in the Southwestern Theater. The 

lessons learned from the exercise were that improvement was needed in operational training, particularly for 

joint airborne-amphibious landings, the employment of nuclear weapons, and radioelectronic warfare.

Document VII-316. "Certain Matters in Preparing and Conducting the Soyuz-77 Combined Operational 

Command-Staff Exercise", by a Warsaw Pact journal article, Lt. Gen. K. Arsenyev from a secret Soviet 

publication, Information Collection of the Headquarters and Technical Committee of the Combined 

Armed Forces, issue No. 13, 1977, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 9 March 1979 [DOI, 
March 1977].

Arsenyev sets out the broad details of the large-scale Soyuz-77 command-staff exercise held in March 1977 in 

Hungary and Czechoslovakia with the participation of Soviet, Hungarian, and Czech commanders and staffs. It 

describes the thorough preparation for the exercise, training of commanders, staffs, umpires, and research 

groups; conducting the exercise; playing out enemy and friendly air actions; and research on controlling 

coalition forces.

Document VII-317. "Some Conclusions from the Experience of Conducting the Shield-76 OperationalTactical Exercise", a Warsaw Pact journal article, by General of Arms F. Siwicki from a secret Soviet 

publication, Information Collection of the Headquarters and Technical Committee of the Combined 

Armed Forces, issue No. 13, 1977, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 28 March 1979.

Siwicki examines the Shield-76 combined operational-tactical exercise of the Combined Armed Forces. He 

outlines the exercise theme and the play-out of its stages and discusses the conclusions drawn from the 

exercise.

Document VII-318. "Methods of Studying the Probable Enemy during Exercises", a Warsaw Pact journal 

article, by General of Arms E. Molczyk from a secret Soviet publication, Information Collection of the 

Headquarters and Technical Committee of the Combined Armed Forces, issue No. 14, 1977, CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 29 March 1979.

Molczyk describes the methods used in exercises by the Polish Armed Forces for the preparation, insertion, 

and flow of realistic intelligence information on the probable enemy.

Document VII-319. "Polish Comments on Marshal Kulikov's Critique of Exercise "Zachod (West)-77", a 

memorandum prepared by the Polish General Staff for the Minister of National Defense, CIA/DO Intelligence 

Information Special Report, 7 May 1979 [DOI, late 1977].

The memorandum addresses combat readiness, re-equipment of forces, airfield construction, assignments to 

front and army levels, operational command point system, linkage of military communications with the 

national networks, introduction of a uniform automated command system, coordination of rear services 

support, theater air operations, and supporting fires.

Document VII-320. Warsaw Pact Exercise 'Center,' Far Eastern Theater of Operations, Installation 

"Albatross", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 8 June 1979 [DOI, 1978-79].

The document is a translation of extracts from a Polish document describing a Warsaw Pact exercise 

codenamed Center. It was conducted in East Germany under the direction of Soviet Defense Minister Ustinov 

in November 1978. It includes information about a new system of command introduced with the appointment 

of General Petrov to the position of CINC of the Far Eastern Theater of Military Operations. It describes the 

expansion of the Albatross installation, a hardened command center, being built for the commander of the 

Western Theater of Operations in Poland.

Document VII-321. "Certain Matters pertaining to the Organization and Conduct of Combined Operational 

Command-Staff Exercises", a Warsaw Pact journal article, by Maj. Gen. F. Sarychev from a secret Soviet 

publication, Information Collection of the Headquarters and Technical Committee of the Combined 

Armed Forces, issue No. 14, 1977, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 21 June 1979.

Sarychev summarizes the purpose, preparation, organization, general features, conduct, and analysis of a 

number of large-scale combined-command-staff exercises conducted in 1977 by Warsaw Pact ground, naval, 

air, and air defense forces. He describes the value of the exercises.

Document VII-322. "Features of the Preparation and Conduct of Tactical Exercises on Mountain-Forest 

Terrain", a Warsaw Pact journal article, by Col. C. Basalic from a secret Soviet publication, Information 
Collection of the Headquarters and Technical Committee of the Combined Armed Forces, issue No. 

15, 1978, CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 13 July 1979.

Basalic provides comprehensive recommendations for the conditions, troop composition, and training required 

to prepare for and conduct tactical exercises in mountain forest terrain.

Document VII-323. "Tranzit-77 Operational-Rear Services Command-Staff Exercise", by Lt Gen. V. 

Semennikov and Col. A. Turovtsev, from a secret Soviet publication, Information Collection of the 

Headquarters and Technical Committee of the Combined Armed Forces, issue No. 15, 1978, CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Special Report, 17 August 1979.

The authors outline and draw conclusions about the organization and methods involved in rear services support 

to the national armies and individual large units comprising a coalition front during the Tranzit-77 operational 

rear services command-staff exercise. They describe some continuing serious difficulties performing support 

for a multinational front. They recommend levels of materiel necessary to continue operations at the front, 

army, and division levels.

Document VII-324. (1) Relationship of Military Exercises to War Plans; (2) Wiosna-69 Exercise, 

CIA/DO Intelligence Information Report, 30 July 1982 [DOI, late 1981].

The document explains that Warsaw Pact military exercises contain important elements of actual operational 

war plans, but many aspects of the exercises are deliberately distorted. Large-scale exercises of the type 

announced under the Helsinki Accords are carefully rehearsed demonstrations of Warsaw Pact unity and 

strength and bear little relation to war plans. The Wiosna-69 [Spring-69] scenario, however, did accidentally 

include information from Soviet war plans.

Document VII-325. "Polish War Plans", CIA/DO Intelligence Information Special Report, 30 July 1982 [DOI, 

late 1981].

This reporting contains information about the war plans of the Polish Armed Forces. The source describes the 

security precautions taken to protect the war plans, including limiting access to the National War Plan, and 

describes the procedures for implementing the plans.

Document VII-326. "Warsaw Pact Fronts within the Western Theaters of Military Operations", CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Report, 1 January 1982 [DOI, late 1981].

This reporting describes the Soviet plan to employ at least six fronts under the direction of the CINC of the 

Strategic Grouping of Forces within the Western Theater of Military Operations for a war with NATO in the 

Central European region. The Soviet and national forces based in Poland, Czechoslovakia, and East Germany 

will comprise the first-echelon fronts, and the second-echelon fronts will be formed by forces in the western 

military districts of the USSR.

Document VII-327. "Enhancing the Role of Military Journals in Working Out Questions of Military Theory", 

by Maj. Gen. V. Zemskov, Military Thought, secret issue No. 1, 1975, CIA/DO Intelligence Information 

Special Report, 28 October 1983.

The article is a translation from the Russian. Zemskov describes the basic functions, content, and problems of 

the principal open-source and classified journals published for the Soviet armed forces. He explains the 

journals are important for raising military professionalism and for ideological indoctrination of Soviet military 

personnel. The journals focus on all aspects of military science, including military doctrine, tactics, operational 

art, strategy, troop control problems, World War II experiences, and military training theory.

Document VII-328. "Planning, Preparations, Operation and Evaluation of Warsaw Pact Exercises", CIA/DO 

Intelligence Information Report, [Estimated date of distribution: 1 January 1988] [DOI, 1981].

The source provides an in-depth study of long-term and short-term planning, preparation, operation, and 

evaluation of Warsaw Pact exercises. The second section describes the various exercise series. A subsection 
discusses large-scale exercises and explains the purpose and nature of each exercise series. The paper also 

includes an explanation of the purpose and nature of each exercise series.

43 The National Intelligence Estimates (NIE) have been produced with input from throughout the Intelligence Community for the 

Director of Central Intelligence. During the period 1977-1981 they were produced in the National Foreign Assessment Center of 

CIA.

44 The NATO Guidelines Area includes the territory of Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, East Germany, West Germany, 

Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

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