Russia has commenced mass production of mobile bomb shelters designed to withstand nuclear weapons, while accusing U.S. President Joe Biden of escalating the risk of World War III.
The shelters, known as “KUB-M,” are engineered to provide protection for up to 48 hours against radiation from nuclear blasts or natural disasters, according to Russia’s Emergency Ministry Research Institute. Each unit accommodates up to 54 people and offers protection from explosions, shrapnel, falling debris, hazardous chemicals, and fires.
Although officials have not disclosed a specific reason for this intensified civil defense measure, the development follows Biden’s recent decision to allow Ukraine to deploy U.S.-made long-range missiles into Russia—an action that has heightened concerns of global conflict. This announcement also coincides with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s approval of a new military doctrine that lowers the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons.
The KUB-M shelters, resembling large shipping containers, consist of two primary modules: a living area for 54 occupants and a technical block. Additional modules can be attached to expand capacity. Designed for easy transportation by truck, the shelters are reinforced to endure extreme conditions, including Russia’s harsh northern permafrost.
