Russia's vast territory hides numerous abandoned and mysterious sites that are perfect for urban exploration (urbex) enthusiasts. The Soviet-era military bases, abandoned industrial complexes, hospitals, and nuclear facilities offer exciting opportunities for discovery.
Here are Russia's 5 best urbex locations worth visiting!
1. Abandoned Military Town – Kola Peninsula (K-27 Secret Base)
🛡 During the Cold War, Russia established numerous secret military towns, many of which are now abandoned. The Kola Peninsula hosts the K-27 base, once used to service nuclear submarines. Today, empty residential buildings, military bunkers, and abandoned military equipment structures can be seen here.
2. Abandoned Nuclear Reactor – Near Moscow (Crypto Reactor, Челябинск-40)
☢ Russia has several abandoned nuclear facilities. One of the most famous is the Crypto Reactor, located near Moscow. The site contains underground reactor halls, massive concrete bunkers, and radiation hazard signs.
3. Abandoned Space Program Facility – Baikonur (Заброшенный космодром)
🚀 One of the former Soviet space program's abandoned bases, featuring rusty rockets, dismantled control stations, and mysterious hangars. The Baikonur Cosmodrome is still operational today, but its old, abandoned facilities make perfect urbex locations.
4. Abandoned Metro Stations – Moscow Metro (Заброшенные станции метро)
🚇 The Moscow Metro is one of the deepest and largest in the world. Several secret, unfinished, or abandoned metro stations lie underground, hiding dark tunnels, deserted platforms, and secret bunkers.
5. Abandoned Sanatorium – Caucasus (Советский санаторий в горах)
🏥 In the Caucasus Mountains, there are several abandoned sanatoriums once used as retreats by the Soviet elite and the KGB. Today, crumbling buildings, cracked mosaics, and empty spa facilities await urbex adventurers.
Summary
Russia is full of mysterious and abandoned sites that urbex fans will love. The military bases, nuclear facilities, metro stations, and space centers all offer unique exploration experiences.
