COMMUNICATIONS BATTALION NEWLY IDENTIFIED NEAR KHABAROVSK SIGNAL BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS/BARRACKS AL-24, USSR (TSR)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05698A000100020038-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 29, 2011
• Sequence Number: 38
• Publication Date: April 1, 1978
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/29: CIA-RDP78TO5698A000100020038-4
Top Secret
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION CENTER
Summary
Report
COMMUNICATIONS BATTALION
NEWLY IDENTIFIED NEAR
KHABAROVSK SIGNAL BRIGADE
HEADQUARTERS/BARRACKS
AL-24, USSR (TSR)
Top Secret
SR-034/78
APRIL 1978
Copy
25X1
25X1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/29: CIA-RDP78TO5698A000100020038-4
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/29: CIA-RDP78TO5698A000100020038-4
Warning Notice
Sensitive Intelligence Sources and Methods Involved
(WNINTEL)
NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
Unauthorized Disclosure Subject to Criminal Sanctions
NOFORN- Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals
NOCONTRACT- Not Releasable to Contractors or
Contractor/Consultants
PROPIN- Caution-Proprietary Information Involved
USIBONLY- USIB Departments Only
ORCON- Dissemination and Extraction of Information
Controlled by Originator
REL This Information has been Authorized for
Release to .
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/29: CIA-RDP78TO5698A000100020038-4
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/29: CIA-RDP78TO5698A000100020038-4
COMMUNICATIONS BATTALION NEWLY IDENTIFIED
NEAR KHABAROVSK SIGNAL BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS/BARRACKS
AL-24, USSR (TSR)
(TSR)
a newly identified communications unit was obser-
ved in an exercise 3.7 nautical miles (nm) north of Khabarovsk Signal Brigade Headquar-
ters/Barracks AL-24 in the Far East Military District, USSR (Figure 1).
This unit (Figure 2), designated by NPIC as a communications battalion, consisted of the
following equipment (not all annotated): two BTR-60PA armored command vehicles (one
possible), nine R-140 radio vans, three long-range communications sets, two R-409 CATS
PAW radio vans, one possible R-409 CATS EYE radio van, one possible R-400 series radio
van truck, three P-299M-type communications center vehicles, 15 van trucks, three cargo
trucks, and three generator trailers.
(TSR) A newly identified vehicle, designated by NPIC as the KH-1 computer electronics
van was also seen with this unit. This sighting of the van in a communications exercise was
_--
25X1
25X1
with a 25X1
the first observation of the van on overhead photography. The van is
1- by 3-meter structure mounted on the forward portion and two sets of possible vents on the
roof (inset, Figure 2).
NORTH SEA
BARENTS
p~. LenrngraA
Minsk Plesetsk
K yev.
scow
i:~ des[ ~~
yK--
Per-
+v^
BLACK
~A L. ~Sverdlnvfk.
RA
Kapustrn Yar K ysh tYrn
op Secret RUFF
'Omsk
SEA
OF
OKHOTSK
' NPIC s-52151
r _1F_
FIGURE 1. LOCATIONS OF COMMUNICATIONS BATTALIONS, USSR
Top Secret
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/29: CIA-RDP78TO5698A000100020038-4
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/29: CIA-RDP78TO5698A000100020038-4
Top Secret RUFF
(S/WNINTEL) All of this equipment was near the Anastasyevka Radio Communica-
tions (Radcom) Transmitter Station in an area used for training by 25X1
Khabarovsk Signal Brigade Headquarters /Barracks AL-24.
(TSR) Another part of the exercise was seen 3.3 nm south of the communications bat-
talion. The equipment observed there included two mobile communications satellite (com-
sat) stations, one R-102M set and one R-102M van, one R-401/403 radio van, one R-401/405
radio van, one P-299M-type communications center vehicle, 23 van trucks, two generator
van trucks, and three trailers. The equipment (Figures 3 and 4) in this area was approx-
imately 0.4 nm east of Khabarovsk barracks AL-24. This equipment is probably organic to
the communications battalion.
(TS~ With the exception of the newly identified 8-meter KH-1 com- 25X1
puter/electronics van, the equipment observed in the communications battalion exercise
near Khabarovsk barracks AL-24 was similar in numbers and types to the equipment in a
communications battalion (Figure 5) observed in garrison at Ulan-Ude 9th RVGK (Reserves
of the Soviet Supreme High Command) Signal Brigade AL-3 Ulan-Ude 25X1
9th RVGK Signal Brigade AL-3 has been associated with the RVGK through collateral in-
telligence information' and through photographic identification of a MERCURY PLATE
radio relay battalion and other support units.2 A MERCURY PLATE unit was
an exercise 0.2 nm southwest of Khabarovsk barracks AL-24 25X1
This unit contained only six sets of MERCURY PLATE equipment compared to the 14 sets
currently associated with a battalion-sized unit. However, the sighting of a communications
battalion and MERCURY PLATE equipment near Khabarovsk suggests the possibility of
an RVGK unit in the area.
(TSR)
a communications exercise was observed in the 2~DA-I
Chita area, 5 nm north of Chita Army Barracks East Central AL-6
and 3 25X1
nm west-northwest of Chita Radcom Station Kashtak This exercise is 25X1
believed to have been a front-level exercise, but the equipment observed included what ap-
peared to be the new 8-meter KH-1 computer/electronics van seen in the Khabarovsk exer-
cise. Image quality and area coverage precluded a thorough comparison of the two exercises.
NPIC has not as yet identified any MERCURY PLATE units in the Chita area. Also, no
available intelligence information has indicated an RVGK association in the Chita area.
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Top Secret
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/29: CIA-RDP78TO5698A000100020038-4
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/29: CIA-RDP78TO5698A000100020038-4
Next 3 Page(s) In Document Denied
Iq
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/29: CIA-RDP78TO5698A000100020038-4
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/29: CIA-RDP78TO5698A000100020038-4
Top Secret
Top Secret
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/29: CIA-RDP78TO5698A000100020038-4