Russia nuclear fears erupt as huge security breach shows 'gigantic' leap aided by West

Russia launch nuclear capable Avangard missile

A massive security breach has exposed terrifying details about Russia’s rapidly expanding nuclear weapons programme, including what experts say is a significant advance in hypersonic missile technology. Documents obtained and analysed by German magazine Der Spiegel and Danish investigative outlet Danwatch reveal that Western companies—including the German gypsum manufacturer Knauf—are supplying materials used to expand Russia’s secretive nuclear weapons bases.

The leaked files include detailed blueprints and procurement lists from Russian military construction projects, providing rare insight into the infrastructure behind Moscow’s nuclear arsenal. Among the materials specified are cement, plaster, adhesives, insulation, and cladding, many supplied by Western firms. Knauf, based in Iphofen, Bavaria, features prominently. Although the company has publicly distanced itself from its Russian operations, the documents show it still controls its Russian subsidiaries.

Vladimir Putin's Avangard is a hypersonic glide vehicle (Image: GETTY)

At one point, one of these subsidiaries was even classified as “systemically important” within Vladimir Putin’s economy, underlining the company’s continued strategic role in supplying construction materials vital to Russia’s military build-up.

The documents detail construction at the nuclear base near Yasnyj, featuring blueprints for watchtowers and military facilities. European military experts confirmed some sites—including Yasnyj—have been equipped with Russia’s Avangard system, a hypersonic glide vehicle designed to evade missile defences by manoeuvring at extreme speeds.

This is a crucial part of Moscow’s nuclear deterrent, launched by intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Satellite imagery analysed by Der Spiegel shows these sites have been modernised with reinforced structures, upgraded defences, and sensor technology, built from higher-grade materials than in previous decades.

An excerpt from the Danwatch report (Image: Danwatch)

New missile silos, designed to house around 900 strategic warheads, are better fortified and concealed.

A NATO security official told Der Spiegel: “Without this nuclear deterrent, Russian foreign policy would look very different.” The official suggested that Russia’s nuclear capabilities were a key factor enabling the invasion of Ukraine.

Meanwhile Hans Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, described the findings as “completely unprecedented, absolutely incredible".

The documents enabled analysts to trace Russia’s systematic military build-up and understand its modernisation priorities, he added.

Knauf's headquarters in Iphofen, Germany (Image: Wikicommons)

The leaked procurement data also reveals how Russia is getting around Western sanctions. Direct deliveries from Germany to Russian defence entities are banned, but Russian buyers use intermediaries.

One example is a small firm in Yekaterinburg, which won a contract to buy Knauf plaster for the 368th regiment at Yasnyj.

A Knauf spokesperson told Der Spiegel: “The management of the Knauf Group and the Knauf family condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.”

Knauf added that its withdrawal process from the Russian market is “well advanced” but confidential, citing complex approvals across jurisdictions. It also claimed it has “received no profits from its Russian business” since announcing its exit.

Nevertheless, Knauf subsidiaries in Russia remain 100% owned and controlled by the German parent company. Their brand and logo continue to appear widely throughout Russian construction projects, including military sites.

The spokesperson said their Russian subsidiaries “produce and sell products almost exclusively through independent building material dealers” and do not control the final customers.

The revelations come amid mounting concern over Russia’s expanding nuclear arsenal and the international implications of Moscow’s continued military modernisation despite sanctions.

Der Spiegel and Danwatch’s investigation highlights the complexity of enforcing sanctions and the unexpected ways Western goods continue to feed into Russia’s military infrastructure.

Knauf, whose family wealth is estimated at €11.8 billion and which posted €3.7 billion in revenue last year, has faced scrutiny over its ties to the Kremlin. Nikolaus Knauf, the company patriarch, served as Russia’s honorary consul in Nuremberg for years.

The breach is likely to add pressure on European governments to tighten controls and question how deeply intertwined Western industry remains with Russia’s war machine.

A Knauf spokesman told Express.co.uk: "We reject the accusations made against Knauf by the magazine "Der Spiegel" in its report of May 28.

'The management of the Knauf Group and the Knauf family condemn Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and firmly reject any accusations of directly or indirectly supporting this war or the armament of the Russian military. In particular, we reject the accusation that Knauf would knowingly support the construction and operation of nuclear weapons bases through direct product deliveries.

"Knauf produces building materials in many countries around the world. These building materials serve a variety of civilian purposes and are neither intended nor suitable for making or keeping weapons systems operational.

"Knauf has no contractual relationships with the Russian Ministry of Defense or any authorities subordinate to it. Accordingly, Knauf neither sells nor supplies products to such entities.

"Knauf's Russian subsidiaries sell products manufactured in Russia almost exclusively to independent building materials dealers. The Russian subsidiaries have no possibility of instructing these dealers as to which customers they may maintain business relations with.

"We strongly reject the accusation that Knauf is actively helping the Russian state circumvent sanctions. Since the beginning of the war, Knauf has strictly adhered to all sanctions. We comply fully with all applicable laws, regulations, and sanctions at all times."