BUILDING OF FORTIFICATIONS ON THE PRUT AND DNESTR RIVERS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A002400110010-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 7, 2005
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: September 22, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2005/12/24: CIA-RDP80-0081OA002400110010-2
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
This Document contains Information affecting the Na,
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S, Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form Is prohibited,
SECRET/CONTROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
IICURITY INFORMATION
COUNTRY USSR (Moldavian and Ukrainian SSR)/
Rumania
SUBJECT Building of Fortifications on
the ?rut and Dnestr Rivers
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REPORT NO.
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT NO.
REFERENCES
22 September 1953
3
1. In May 1953 the fortifications building program on the banks of the
Prut and the Dne`etr Rivers was completed, This building program was
started in summer 1952. Other projects also are to be fitted into
this defense belt which stretches from the Baltic to the Black Sea.
Solid defense points in the form of reinforced concrete bunkers for
guns and machine guns were erected on the east bank of the Prut River
for the defense of the important crossing points at Skulyany (N Lk7-24,
E 27-37), 'fin eny M47412 E 27-50on the highway betweer~ Riehinev
(N 47 00,E 8.50 and Husi (N 46-11# E 28-01), Leova (N 1i6-28,i E 28-15),
andat 2'alsiu (N 46-181 E 28-07), Theme defense strong points were
strengthened by'tank traps on both sides of the Frut River; at the
same time sites for future mine fields at the approaches to the river
crossings were marksd~oM The concrete bunkers were connected by
ordnary trenches so that when necessary a'defense strong point could
be reinforced in the area most severely threatened.
3. Between the defense points the area in to be defended entirely by a
loose system of gx+dinary trenches which evidently were prepared in
sections, on the east bank of the ?rut River.
14, The adjacent forests served as a source of lumber for the building
of all such installations as munition dumps and personnel bunkers.
5. The work in the area of Lipkany (N L8-18, E 26-48),on the west bank
of the Prut River, was carried out by prisoners from the Rumanian con-
centration.camp at Pomarla (N 18'-04, E 26-25). Prisoners fr?m Soviet
camps in Bessarabia worked on the east bank of the Prut River.
On the east bank of the Dnestr River the concrete bunkers for guns and
machine gags were, built into the rocky projecatin'g slopes in the hilly
area. at Kh6ten (N 48-30, E 26-30) and Kamenets-Podolskiy (N 48-1.09 E 26-34)'.
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 Approved For Release 2005/12/24: CIA-RDP80-0081OA002400110010-2
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7. ' Other 'concrete bunkers for the defense of the railroad and vehicular
bridge were constructed between Ataki (N 4832, E 2626) and Mogilev -
Podolslciy (N 48-26, E 27-49).
Be On the east bank of the Dnestr=River opposite Soroke (N 48-08, E 18-19)
and in the Yampol (N.48-15, E 28-17) area the concrete bunkers are
weaker and fewer in number. Therefore,,ar, extensive net:of:k'trap
as well as numerous adjoining minefields were established.
9. The railroad and vehicular bridge at Rybnitaa (N 47-45, E 28-59) is
`defended by a system of concrete,.bunkers,
10. The Bendery (N 46-499 E 29-28) - Tiraspol (N 46-509 E 29-36) area has
been developed into a strong defense area. A defense belt of concrete
bunkers encircles the cit7 of Bendery,and is partioulary strong in
the direction of Kishinev (see sketch). Beside that,the,old Turkish
fortress of Bendery on the -west bank of the Dnestr River,directly
west of the railroad and vehicular bridge across the river,was altered
and reconstructed into a strong defense point. Several AA batteries
are stationed in the fortress. The fortress as well as the two western
piers of the important railroad and vehicular bridge across the Dnestr
'River (see. sketch) have been mined. The electric lines controlling,
he detonating of the charges at the fortress and bridge lead to the
command bunker at a railroad embankment about 35 meters from the east-
ern terminus of the bridge. An engineer battalion from the village
of Parkany (N 46-509 E 29W29)3which is situated between the bridge
and the city of Tiraspol,was'selected to guard (Beaufsiohtigung) the
defense installations in this area.
11. Between the strong defense, paints on the east bank of the Dnestr, River
only ordinary trenches, Similar to those in the Prat River areal serve
as a defense measure.
12. The defense work in the Dneetx River area between Khotin and Tiraspol
was done by prisoners from concentration camps in the Moldavian SSR.
13. With few exceptions (e.g., Bendery) the newly built bunkers and other
defense installations in the Prut and Dnestr. River areas 0-vs not
equipped with guns nor occupied by military units. The buildings
are surrounded' with barbed wire obstacles. There are also warning
eigna which forbid trespassing in the area and point out the existence
of mines.
See sketch of the Prut and Dneatr Rivers defense areas on next page.
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Approved For Release 2005/12/24: CIA-RDP80-0081OA002400110010-2
 Approved For Release 2005/12/24: CIA-RDP80-00810A002400110010-2
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Prut and Dnestr Rivers Defense Area
.i- Rai] roads
mom. Highways
Skulya
MFFM9 Concrete 5=ere
mr,rr, Ground Fortifications
Bender -Tiraegl
?eennee ea
Fortress
Railroad ant Vehicular Bridge across Dneetr
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Approved For Release 2005/12/24: CIA-RDP80-00810A002400110010-2