Russia is constructing a large-scale signals intelligence station in the Kaliningrad region, just 25 kilometers from the NATO border, according to Bild. Satellite images reviewed by the German outlet indicate the facility is being built near Chernyakhovsk, based on findings from the investigative platform Tochnyi.
Details of the construction
Work on the station reportedly began in March 2023. The images show excavation sites for antenna masts arranged in at least six concentric circles. Analysts believe this is a so-called circular antenna array, a system widely used during the Cold War for military signals intelligence, electronic surveillance, and communication with submarines. The range of such systems can reach up to 7,400 kilometers. The structure’s diameter may extend to 1,600 meters—four times larger than the typical 400-meter facilities of this type.
Strategic implications for NATO
Once operational, the station would allow Russia to intercept NATO radio communications across Eastern Europe and the Baltic states, while also strengthening secure communication with its submarines in the Baltic Sea and the northern Atlantic. Experts warn that the installation represents another step in Moscow’s long-term militarization of Kaliningrad, adding to its arsenal of Iskander missile systems, S-400 air defenses, and naval forces. This region already plays a central role in exerting military pressure on Poland, Lithuania, and the wider Baltic area.
Historical context and regional risks
During the Cold War, similar stations were a key element of electronic warfare infrastructure, but many were dismantled after its end. Recently, however, countries like Cuba have revived construction of such complexes. Germany itself still operates four comparable installations, under agencies including the BND and the Federal Police. For NATO, the Kaliningrad build-up raises concern about the security of the so-called Suwałki corridor—the narrow land strip between Poland and Lithuania that connects the Baltic states with the rest of the alliance. A Russian move to seize this corridor is one of NATO’s most sensitive defense scenarios.
NATO response and broader security concerns
The expansion of Russia’s signals intelligence capability is seen as part of its systematic military escalation following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The project underscores Moscow’s readiness to intensify hybrid or open military operations by enabling passive collection of data on enemy movements, communications, and equipment. Analysts argue that NATO should bolster its military presence in Poland and the Baltics and strengthen air defense systems, while European governments need to inform their citizens about the destabilizing implications of Russia’s actions to build public support for reinforced defense measures.
