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Voroshilov Battery

Military facility
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Description

Voroshilov Battery is a former coastal artillery battery on Russky Island in the Vladivostok urban district of Primorsky Krai, now a military-historical museum complex, a branch of the Pacific Fleet Military-Historical Museum. It stands on the western shore of Polonka Bay, within the city limits of Vladivostok.

History

The decision to build the battery was made in spring 1931, when the threat from Japan increased. The main concrete and underground works were carried out in 1932-1933. Installation of the first gun turret was completed on 1 February 1934, and the second on 1 April of the same year. On 11 November 1934 the battery was named after the People's Commissar of Defense Kliment Voroshilov.

The battery was armed with two three-gun turret mounts of 305 mm caliber, taken from the battleship Mikhail Frunze (formerly Poltava). The mounts were designated MB-3-12FM. Major Nikolai Arsenyev was appointed the battery's first commander. The combat unit was disbanded in 1997.

What to see

The two turrets are connected by a deep underground tunnel (a "poterna") about 250 meters long. Besides the turrets, the complex includes corridors with a total length of over 300 meters, bunkers, ammunition stores and command posts. The museum's exhibits include the original guns from the battleship Mikhail Frunze and other military hardware displayed outdoors. According to the museum, the battery is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most powerful coastal battery preserved in full combat readiness.

Visitors tell stories of strange sounds heard in the battery's underground galleries, which are linked to "ghosts of the gunners". There is no confirmation of this, but the legend adds an air of mystery to the complex.

How to get there

The battery is located on Russky Island, which is connected to Vladivostok by a bridge. By car, the trip from the city center takes 15-20 minutes. By public transport, cross the bridge to the island and take bus No. 29, 29k or 29b, then walk about a kilometer to the complex. The museum is open daily except Monday.