There are many weird and wonderful abandoned structures throughout the world, being based in Bangkok, a city of unfinished projects; I certainly see my fair share everyday. But no where has quite as many amazing abandonment’s as the former Soviet Union. The complex political, military and social history has lead to everything from buildings to entire cities being left uncared for, still standing to weather the elements until the end.

More Pictures After The Jump!

1. Abandoned City - Promyshlennyi:

The fall of the Soviet Union led this city to be cut off from communications and support from the government. Without basic utilities such as water and electricity the cities occupants left to find more comfortable homes elsewhere. Today the remains still stand untouched with many belongings deserted and left behind.

2. Abandoned Submarine Base - Balakava:

This small town situated on the Black Sea Coast was once the secret base of a Soviet nuclear submarine base. Even family members of the residents who were stationed here were not allowed to visit the town without special permission from the government. Today all the submarines have gone but the structure still stands and is open to explorers from around the world.

3. Abandoned Prison:

Much like the concentration camps set up throughout Europe during WWII, the gulag buildings are the physical evidence of the Soviets mass imprisonment, forced labor and acts of genocide against its people, which resulted in the death of over 10 Millions prisoners. During this period was when “Roosevelt observed that capitalism is unequally divided riches while socialism is equally divided poverty. Gulag prison life meant an equal distribution of death among the rich and poor, old and young.”

4. Abandoned (Never Used) Buildings:

In most countries abandoned buildings remain the wake of long deserted, heavily used structures that no longer met the standards of modern day production. However in Russia many industrial, medical and administrative structures are merely the result of failed projects. In their own unique way these abandonment’s tell a story of corrupt and confused leadership, a bleak history absent of the nostalgia and ghosts of once used structures.

5. Abandoned Missile Silo Complex:

The fall of the Soviet Union was followed by large disarmament of nuclear weapons leaving many deserted silos scattered across the Russian countryside. The complex shown in the pictures is located in Latvia and comprises of four silos, a central command base and technical support bunker. Now decommissioned, some of the silos are open to the public.

6. Abandoned Oceanside Fortress:

Vladivostok located on the southeast of Russian was once home to highly prized and extravagantly expensive water fortress. The coastal bases were deemed necessary to protect Russia from possible Japanese invasion. The fort and mile of tunnels at Vladivostok have long since fallen in disarray but the base still remains open to visitors.

7. Abandoned Heavy Equipment:

The cost of complex industrial and communication machines is somewhat hard to comprehend; with this in mind it’s hard to imagine why anyone would abandon these amazing structures that once cost so much money. Yet Russia seems to be home to numerous mining, satellite, and military contraptions that have simply been left, with no plans for the future, not even to be demolished. For example the giant communications dish in the picture is the size of soccer field and still stands today completely disused amongst the serene backdrop of the Russian countryside.