Russians Built Anti-Drone Structures at Nuclear Test Site in Novaya Zemlya

Russia has begun installing anti-drone structures at the nuclear test site on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, located more than 2,500 kilometers from Ukraine.

This was reported by The Barents Observer.

As noted, Google Earth has recently updated satellite images of the archipelago, which for the first time allowed a detailed examination of the area using open non-commercial sources.

The images of Severny, taken on August 14, 2025, show that three rows of fuel tanks that supply the settlement are covered with blue metal nets.

These structures, known as cage armor, are designed to protect the tanks from drone attacks and prevent explosions or fuel ignition.

For comparison, in the winter 2021 photos, these tanks were still without nets, while the updated images from August 2025 show the protection already installed.

Fuel tanks near the port are used to store gasoline, which ensures the operation of equipment at the nuclear test site.

In the center of the village, there are larger tanks with fuel oil for heating and electricity, which are not yet protected by nets, as are the aviation fuel tanks at the local heliport.

The blue metal nets have a similar design to those installed at other Russian military facilities.

In particular, such structures have been spotted at the Olenya airbase on the Kola Peninsula, where they are also used to protect aviation fuel tanks from drone attacks.

It is quite possible that such actions are related to the expansion of Ukraine’s arsenal of long-range weapons, including drones and cruise missiles that can hit targets at a distance of almost 2,000 kilometers.