Stütznachrichtenzentrale Lynow
Hidden deep in the forests near Lynow, lies Stütznachrichtenzentrale Lynow, a forgotten piece of Cold War history. This former Soviet military base once served as protection for severeal object at the Truppenübungsplatz Heidehof.
Lynow also housed the key communication hub for the 132nd Communications Brigade. Built in 1960, the site includes a monolithic bunker known as the Stütznachrichtenzentrale, designed to operate as a support broadcast center.
KIP-25 and Keramik
During its operation, around 120 soldiers and 30 officers lived and worked here. The site, with the call sign KIP-25 (кип-25), was well-camouflaged, nestled in a small valley surrounded by dense forest. Another smaller unit of 15 soldiers and two officers, with the call sign Keramik (керамика), also occupied part of the base. This subunit managed the 200-square-meter 888 ОУС-bunker with five rooms, two entrances, and robust underground facilities.
The base wasn’t just about bunkers and communication centers. It featured various auxiliary buildings, including a garage complex, social facilities, and a cold storage bunker for food supplies. A small protected shelter housed a backup generator, while a sauna, styled like a log cabin, provided soldiers some comfort amidst the harsh conditions. The officers’ house, built in the 1930s, was the only building predating the Cold War era. Other structures on the site were constructed in the 1970s and 80s.
Nature taken over
Today, the site is a shadow of its former self. Looters have gutted the area, stripping away anything of value, especially metals. Most of the buildings are crumbling, and nature is slowly reclaiming the site. The once-functional bunkers and support facilities are now empty shells, bearing scars of time and vandalism.
Visiting Lynow’s military base feels like stepping into a forgotten chapter of history. It’s a haunting reminder of the Cold War era. I visited the site in 2020.
