Moscow Oblast releases shelter maps amid fears of Ukrainian long-range missile strikes

Authorities in Russia's Moscow Oblast have begun publicly disclosing official maps of civil defense shelters, a significant shift from their previous policy of keeping this information secret.

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The publication of shelter maps followed widespread complaints from residents about the complete lack of warnings during the largest Ukrainian attack on Moscow in mid-June.

This change in practice follows widespread public criticism regarding the absence of air raid warnings during a major Ukrainian attack on Moscow in mid-June. Residents in some areas reported learning about the threat only when drones appeared overhead or explosions were heard, with many receiving no official alerts, text messages, or sirens.

Officials had previously defended the lack of alerts, stating that sirens are an extraordinary measure activated only for direct, confirmed threats. Until now, authorities consistently refused public requests for shelter locations, stating such data would only be released during mobilization or martial law.

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Alerts are an extraordinary, not routine, measure and sirens are activated only in case of a direct and confirmed threat to life.

The decision to publish shelter maps coincides with intelligence suggesting Ukraine is nearing the deployment of its first domestically produced long-range ballistic missiles. Reports indicate that a company called Fire Point is in the final testing stages of a new missile system, with potential strikes on Moscow possible as early as this autumn. The company is developing missiles, including the FP-9, claimed to have a range of up to 850 kilometers, raising concerns about future threats to the Russian capital.

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The company is in the final stage of testing a new missile system, and the first strikes on Moscow could follow as early as this autumn if the tests go according to plan.