CIA-UAP-011: The Sary Shagan Weapons Testing Range

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Approved for Release 2026

Intelligence Information Report

[emblem: DIRECTORATE OF OPERATIONS]

WARNING NOTICE
SENSITIVE INTELLIGENCE SOURCES AND METHODS INVOLVED
Classified by Recorded Reporting Officer. Exempt from General Declassification Schedule of E.O. 11652 Exemption category. Impossible to determine date of automatic declassification.

DIRECTORATE OF OPERATIONS

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THIS IS AN INFORMATION REPORT, NOT FINALLY EVALUATED INTELLIGENCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L

REPORT NO. FIR K-311/01638-77

DATE DISTR. [handwritten: 2 C] December 19[illegible]

COUNTRY  USSR

DOI  November 1972-November 1973

SUBJECT  The Sary Shagan Weapons Testing
Range

ACQ  Germany

FIELD NO. [blank]

SOURCE  [blank]  former Soviet citizen who served

This report

Summary: This report provides limited information on the Sary
Shagan weapons testing range, to include facilities, work areas,
security fencing, the regional headquarters (V/Ch 03080), and a
warhead checkout unit (V/Ch 03142). Also included is limited
information on the following: System-75 [SA-2] and System-300/
Aldan [ABM-1 GALOSH] warheads; rumored laser research; and an
unidentified aerial phenomenon. End of Summary.

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(classification)  (dissem controls)  [For Field Distribution see final paragraph]
STATE | DIA | NSA | XXXX | XXXX | OSR | OWI | OSO | OCR
USIA | FBI | SWS | NPIC | IAS

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C O N F I D E N T I A L/WARNING NOTICE - SENSITIVE INTELLIGENCE
SOURCES AND METHODS INVOLVED

FIRK-311/01638-77

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10.  Besides the System-75 [SA-2] warheads, Site 4 also
checked the warheads for a missile(s) known as the System-300
and/or Aldan.  (Field Comment: Source did not know if Aldan was
another name for the System-300 missile, or if they were two
similar missiles.)  The System-300/Aldan warheads after being
checked at Site 4 were taken to Site 35 for launching.  According
to rumor, the missile was for antimissile defense (protivo
raketnaya oborona - PRO).  (Field Comment: Source identified the
System-300/Aldan missile in available reference material as the
ABM-1/GALOSH.)

11.  The warhead for the System-300/Aldan missile was about
two meters long and 80 to 100 centimeters in diameter.  The war-
head weighed approximately 400 kilograms, and it contained an
unrecalled number of black cassettes, 45 x 12 centimeters, which
housed an unknown number of metal balls (shariki).  Warheads for
the System-75 [SA-2] missile had approximately 100 grey cassettes,
30 x 7 centimeters, each of which held about 200 to 300 metal balls,
each no more than 1.5 centimeters in diameter.  (Field Comment:
Source had no knowledge regarding nuclear warheads.  He opined
that all systems could be equipped with nuclear warheads.  However,
Source stated all work done by his department was basically
experimental (opytnaya).)

13.  According to hearsay, experiments involving laser weapons
were being conducted at an unknown location at the range.  Sup-
posedly, the tests involved powerful antennas (no further details).

14.  On one evening in late Summer 1973, Source observed an

[illegible]

C O N F I D E N T I A L

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C O N F I D E N T I A L/WARNING NOTICE - SENSITIVE INTELLIGENCE
SOURCES AND METHODS INVOLVED

FIRK-311/01638-77

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unidentified phenomenon at Site 7.  While watching a sport com-
petition between Canada and the USSR on television, he stepped
outside for some air and observed an unidentified sharp (bright)
green circular object or mass in the sky.  The object was situated
west of the site at an angle of sighting of approximately 70
degrees.  The altitude of the object was undeterminable.  (Field
Comment: Although there were no clouds in the sky that evening,
Source believed that the green mass would have been higher than
cloud level.  Source could not estimate the diameter of the
object.)  Within 10 to 15 seconds of observation, the green circle
widened and within a brief period of time several green concentric
circles formed around the mass.  Within minutes the coloring dis-
appeared.  There was no sound, such as an explosion, associated
with the phenomenon.  (Field Comment: Source had no opinion as
to what this phenomenon was.  There was no resultant rumors.
Source could not provide any further details.)