“Volkhov”

The Soviet mobile S-75 anti-aircraft missile system was developed in 1957. Its tasks included the destruction of targets flying at speeds of up to 1,500 km/h (932 mph) at altitudes of 3-20 km (1.8-12.4 mi), changing positions, and ambush operations. The Volkhov, a modification that became the base for all subsequent systems, was put into service n 1961.

This is what provided air defense for the Chernobyl NPP and the military facility Chernobyl-2 (#83).
This military unit is a small set of buildings located in the middle of the forest: a control bunker, protected by massive airtight doors twice as tall as a person; barracks, containers for cars; and six missile launch sites. Around Volkhov are remnants of various vehicles – a caterpillar tractor, an overturned ZIL tank truck, and (Lord knows from where) a motor boat.
In our time, the air defense support function was transferred to a mobile squadron, utilizing the much more modern Buk anti-aircraft system, which was also based not far from the nuclear power plant.

This article was published in the book Interesting Chernobyl.
You could download this book in PDF file for free here.

© Sky Horse Publishing House (Kyiv) / Nahs Haus, 2019
Copying and publication of this article is possible only with the written permission of the publishing house.
Official website of the Awesome Heritage series: awesomeheritage.com

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