Eerie pictures capture Chernobyl missile detection system

A photographer has captured the abandoned remains of a Soviet missile detection system that lies inside the Chernobyl exclusion zone.

The Duga 3 antennas in Ukraine were used by the Russians as part of a missile early-warning network from 1976 to 1989.

Now rusting and crumbling, the structures dwarf the remains of an eerie town left abandoned after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 26 April 1986.  

Left to rust: A photographer has captured the abandoned remains of a Soviet missile detection system that lies inside the Chernobyl exclusion zone

Inside the control room: The Duga 3 antennas in Ukraine were used by the Russians as part of a missile early-warning network from 1976 to 1989

Inside the control room: The Duga 3 antennas in Ukraine were used by the Russians as part of a missile early-warning network from 1976 to 1989

Photographer Roman Robroek, 30, from the Netherlands, captured abandoned classrooms (pictured) and houses littered with discarded gas masks

Photographer Roman Robroek, 30, from the Netherlands, captured abandoned classrooms (pictured) and houses littered with discarded gas masks

Now rusting and crumbling, the structures dwarf the remains of eerie town left abandoned after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 26 April 1986

Now rusting and crumbling, the structures dwarf the remains of eerie town left abandoned after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 26 April 1986

Photographer Roman Robroek, 30, from the Netherlands, captured abandoned classrooms and houses littered with discarded gas masks.    

He said: ‘I decided to take a trip to Ukraine so that I could see the Duga 3 antennas for myself, and I was shocked to discover the town that surrounds them.

‘The antennas were very impressive to see, and I’m glad I’ve seen the system while it is still standing.

‘There was a hidden town around the antennas with everything the residents needed: including gyms, schools, a cinema, a fire service and more.

This image shows the crumbling remains of the control room. It would have been full of Soviet officials alert for missile warnings

This image shows the crumbling remains of the control room. It would have been full of Soviet officials alert for missile warnings

The control room: Duga 3 antennas are surrounded by a small town which has been left to rot after the nuclear disaster

The control room: Duga 3 antennas are surrounded by a small town which has been left to rot after the nuclear disaster

The gym in the town is left to rot under the shadow of the Duga systems which were extremely powerful, over 10 MW in some cases, and broadcast in the shortwave radio bands

The gym in the town is left to rot under the shadow of the Duga systems which were extremely powerful, over 10 MW in some cases, and broadcast in the shortwave radio bands

This image shows part of the Duga antenna control room which has been left to rot in the wake of the nuclear disaster of 1986

This image shows part of the Duga antenna control room which has been left to rot in the wake of the nuclear disaster of 1986

This pictured shows an abandoned classroom in the shadow of the radio masts. There are tables and debris strewn across the room 

This pictured shows an abandoned classroom in the shadow of the radio masts. There are tables and debris strewn across the room 

‘When they were active, the antennas were supposed to be kept a secret, so trees were planted to keep the antennas hidden.

‘There’s a lot of mystery and theories surrounding the connection between the antennas and the Chernobyl disaster.

‘I’ve even heard one theory that the Chernobyl disaster had been caused intentionally by an experiment in an attempt to cover-up the fact that the Duga-3 antennas didn’t actually work.

‘No information on what was going on there was to be found in any of the remaining buildings – evidence has been removed and relevant part of the buildings have been stripped to the bone.

‘I found it incredible fascinating and mysterious, and would love to go back.’ 

The Duga entrance: These are the gates to the complex where the antenna system has been left to crumble

The Duga entrance: These are the gates to the complex where the antenna system has been left to crumble

The photographer said: 'The antennas were very impressive to see, and I'm glad I've seen the system while it is still standing'

The photographer said: ‘The antennas were very impressive to see, and I’m glad I’ve seen the system while it is still standing’

The unclaimed signal was a source for much speculation, giving rise to theories such as Soviet mind control and weather control experiments

The unclaimed signal was a source for much speculation, giving rise to theories such as Soviet mind control and weather control experiments



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