Museum of Strategic Missile Troops

At the border of two regions - Nikolaev and Kirovograd - you can find a place that once was closed to outsiders. If you came here several years ago with a camera, it could be regarded as espionage. Once, the 43rd Army of 46th missile division was located in the village Pobugskoe, Kirovograd region. Now it is Museum of Strategic Missile Troops.

From the Soviet Union Ukraine inherited the third in the world nuclear arsenal. But soon it has declared the status of nuclear-free state.

10 years after independence, October 30, 2001, the last mine-launcher of the intercontinental ballistic missile was exploded. The central military position of command post, with ground equipment and various support mechanisms has been preserved in working condition and was converted into a museum. The efficiency of the mechanisms is provided by retired rocketeers. They also guide tours. Thanks to them, stories are alive and interesting. The rocketeers, though the former, retained in their memory all the knowledge and, most importantly, love for their profession.

If not the inscription "The Museum of Strategic Missile Troops," at the entrance gate, the museum could be easily confused with a top secret object. Sometimes it seems that sentry’s cry "Halt or I'll shoot!" could be heard from the watch-tower, and then – a burst of sub-machine gun fire. Because all the equipment, that was used for maintenance of missile systems, rocket engines are preserved by efforts of former rocketeers. Now the quarter premises are used for the exhibits that demonstrate the power of former missile forces.

Going through the territory of an object of the former USSR nuclear shield, immediately feel the former strength of a great power. Until now, rocket launchers working mechanisms demonstrate the power of engineering around the world. And military life of the 43rd Army has become a history, which is kept in the Museum of Strategic Missile Troops.