PRUT RIVER RAILWAY BRIDGE; TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN RUMANIA AND USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A001700320005-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 6, 2010
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: July 17, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/01/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA001700320005-3
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 production of this form Is prohibited.
SUBJECT Prut River Railway Bridge; Telephone DATE DISTR. 17 July 1953
Connections Between Rumania and USSR.
NO. OF PAGES 3
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
3.
1. The railway traffic between Rumania and southern Bessarabia (USSR) crosses an
old bridge over the Prut River at Reni. This bridge has a single track on which
a third rail permits traffic of Rumanian and Soviet gauge railway cars. The bridge
is located approximately one-half mile upstream from the point where the Prut flows
into the Danube.
2. The bridge is steel on two concrete pylons and there. are two supporting concrete
piers. The structure is uncovered and has a continuous span approximately 90
meters long. The bridge is 4.50 meters above the average level of the water.
3. The bridge carries six pipelines; two of'the larger ones transport oil and gasoline
from Rumania to the Soviet Union. The pelines are underground as they approach
the bridge. The bridge also has sever telephone circuits linking Rumania with
Soviet exchanges in Bessarabia. The.circuits are on telephone wire supports; at
either end of the bridge there are terminal boxes.
4. The bridge is guarded continually by Soviet sentries at both ends of the bridge?
The sentries have quarters a short distance north of the bridge on the Soviet bank
.of the river. It is strictly forbidden for non-authorized personnel to approach
the bridge. Reportedly, during February 1951, an employee of the telephone company
at Galati who came to check the terminal boxes approached the bridge And was shot
without warning.
5. Two sketches are attached:
a. Sketch 1 shows the railway bridge over the Prut, as well as the old wood bridge
for vehicle traffic, which is no longer in use,
b. Sketch 2 shows an enlargement of Sketch 1, with details regarding the overhead
telephone lines and the pipelines on the bridge?
SECRET
SECURITY INFORMAT;ON
STATE $ ARMY X NAVY X AIR X FBl AEC
(Note, Washington Distribution Indicated By "X"; Field Distribution By
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/01/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA001700320005-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/01/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA001700320005-3
A
~ To ,~ N a-
C.T 2
to ti
low,
37
SKETCH'!
Showing the bridge over Prut- River at
Reni.
1. Railway baidge
2. Old wooden bridge no longer in operation
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/01/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA001700320005-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/01/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA001 700320005-3
Route of the Sovietic Telephone circuits
over the bridge at Reni.
Legend:
7
A is
000
6
1. Telephone circuits
2. Terminal boxes of the circuits
3. The railway bridge
4. Position of the old wooden bridge,
no longer in operation
5. Soviet sentries posts
60, Soviet sentries quarters
7. Overhead route of telephone circuits
over the bridge
8. Oil and gasoline pipes
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/01/06: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA001 700320005-3