Even as many of their citizens faced a life of hardship, fear, and at times persecution from “the state”, the Moscow Metro was opened to the world as a shining example of why Soviet Communism outweighed the “evil capitalist West” in providing a “progressive and fair” society.

And while there is no doubt the metro system was indeed beautiful, elegant, and connected the city of Moscow so its citizens could get to their state-sponsored jobs without the very interference they faced in their everyday lives, it was perhaps a shining example of the hypocrisy of such an ideology.

These criticisms would find themselves in the conspiracy circles of researchers in both the West and East when claims surfaced of a secret, “other” underground metro system. One used for “government business” and unofficially unrecognized. And what’s more, they continue to be so.

Do these secret tunnel systems exist? And if so, were they, like other similar systems around the world, for the transport of top-secret material and documents for government projects and programs? Or were they merely a glowing example of the double-standards often found in such Communist societies and ideologies, where the masses, who despite “owning” everything have so very little, while those at the top seemingly live a life of privilege and secretive luxury.

A Long History Of “Subterranean Construction Projects!”

Before we look exclusively at the Moscow Metro system and any potential secretive lines running in sympathy to it, we should perhaps take note that, like other countries around the world, Russia has a long history of “subterranean construction projects” long before their royal family and other supposed “elites” were coldly and cowardly assassinated in the early twentieth century to clear any oppositions for generations to the Communist project.

And like the dark, cloak-and-dagger world of the Soviet Union that would follow, these underground systems were often built out of a desire to maintain absolute and unquestioning control.

For example, until the 1500s, a purposely built underground chamber under the Kremlin housed around 800 ancient texts and manuscripts from the Byzantine library in Constantinople. These manuscripts contained writings in Hebrew, Arabic, Latin, and Greek. The underground chamber of intellectual riches was “lost” in the early sixteenth century.

Several decades after this, Ivan the Terrible would construct his own underground systems where he could torture and murder those he saw fit to terrorize in such a way. Incidentally, and certainly living up to his name, legend states that following the construction, all of the workers, planner, and literally anyone who had anything at all to do with the project was brutally executed to prevent any “secrets” of the underground construction becoming known to anyone but himself.

In fact, by the time the royal family was callously overthrown by the Bolsheviks, the advanced underground systems were already very much in place, thanks in most part to those same elites who were murdered or shipped off to the Gulags. Even today researchers suggest as many as 15 underground “levels” exist under Moscow.

A Modern Masterpiece From The Purposeful Destruction Of The Past!

Perhaps the fact that many of the materials for the Moscow Metro system would come from many of the historic buildings that were destroyed upon the orders of Stalin is in sympathy with the ruinous ideology that presided over its construction. While plans had been in place for such a project dating back to the early-1900s before the revolution, work did not officially begin until 1931.

Many of the workers would have to perform much of the work by hand due to a “shortage” of modern tools. In reality, though, they were often political opponents of the state (although this is not official according to the records).

Perhaps, then, this might explain why only certain “loyal” workers, often soldiers, would begin construction on another, secret metro line – Metro-2 – also on Stalin’s orders, who became increasingly paranoid in the run-up to the Second World War of being assassinated.

Maybe his concerns were accurate. Despite their projection to the rest of the world of the utopian nature on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain, there were many inside the Soviet Union who hated Stalin. As well as the regime and “the state” that controlled their lives.

Only Those With “Special Clearance” Could Enter Metro-2

Theories differ as to the extent of this underground system, if indeed it does exist. Some believe that with the death of Stalin construction of the Metro-2 system would stop. Others, however, believe that work has continued over the decades. With successive governments – even after the fall of the Soviet Union – adding sections as the city itself has grown. As well as to accommodate the needs of the modern world.

According to one researcher, Yuri Zaitsev, today there exists four purposely constructed lines. These connect the Federal Security Services, various different government departments operating in and around the Kremlin, and the especially designated “government airport” at Vnokovo.

These long-standing claims were seemingly confirmed in 2008 when the head of the Moscow Metro independent trade union claimed there was a recruiting drive for “secret routes” among metro drivers. Many would apply, most were not successful. He would state:

Entering the midst of these tunnels is only for people with special clearance!

Further still, the vehicles operating on the Metro-2 lines are most often “very short trains”. These are usually one passenger car with an electric battery locomotive.

In the same year, a former minister under Boris Yeltsin, Mikhali Poltoranin would seemingly further confirm the existence of the Metro-2 system. As well as the vast network of tunnels, stating the network could “hide a lot of people”. Further still:

I know that Metro-2 has branches that go to the suburbs. So that the command could move away from the epicenter of a nuclear attack!

There was an apparent abundance of former ministers going on record to confirm the existence of the secret underground metro system. Officially, however, the claims remained a rumor. However, these claims would continue to surface.

“Abyss” – Another Example Of Fact Hiding In Fiction?

In 1992, almost immediately following the collapse of the Soviet Union came the fictional novel Abyss by Vladimir Gonik.

He would essentially claim authenticity for much of the book’s plot – set in an underground bunker in Moscow. That is, from information he learned during his time working for the Soviet Ministry of Defense. As a doctor from the early-70s-to-mid-1980s.

According to him, the term “Metro-2” first came into use during this time. Members of the Politburo would use it regarding the second secret metro system. It was, according to Gonik, used exclusively by high-ranking Politburo members. As well as members of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) of a similar stature.

Furthermore, each of the “elite” members of the Communist regime, despite the declaration of equality throughout the Soviet Union, had a personal underground apartment in the case of war or public disorder. Each complete with lounge, personal bathroom, study, and kitchen. These facilities could house them and their entire families.

One-time information minister, Alexander Muzykantskiy, would claim the underground system was “gigantic” and would state:

…(It’s) designed to ensure the stable operation of the senior military and political leadership in times of armed conflict. Including a nuclear conflict!

What is also interesting is that similar claims have been made by other researchers and even defectors. One such example is Oleg Gordievsky, who would claim in 2001 that:

You still do not know the main KGB secret yet – a huge underground city. A whole communications network of such facilities. But they will not show you, they will never, of course!

While that is perhaps much more dramatic than the claims made by Gonkin, when we examine another area of the mystery Moscow underground network, they begin to make a little more sense.

Ramenki-43 – The City Under The City?

Perhaps one of the most intriguing claims surrounding the secret underground rail systems of Moscow actually resides in the south-west district of the city in Remenki. In fact, to be precise, they reside within a “vacant lot” – which in the old Soviet Union and, in part, still today, have dark connections to industrial military activity – near Moscow State University.

According to the researcher who voiced concerns of the entrance, this huge (and unofficial) underground bunker connects with multiple other underground facilities and installations. All of which are top-secret. Furthermore, up to 15,000 people could safely reside in the underground network.

Even more bizarre, and certainly suspicious to those familiar with such concepts, was the apparent “building project” that began on the same site of luxury houses. The buildings would sit in a perpetual state of part-development. A clear marker, perhaps, to those with “special clearance”. And a disguise to keep everyone else away.

Even more intriguing, and certainly at least a partial corroboration of the claims of Ramenki-43, are the claims of an apparent “KGB officer” speaking to TIME magazine under anonymity in 1992 following the fall of the Soviet Union. He wouldn’t, however, use the term Ramenki-43 but rather simply “Underground City”.

According to the interview, the KGB officer would claim the reality of Ramenki-43. He would also claim involvement in its construction. This would begin in the mid-1960s and took almost a decade to complete. He would, though, claim that the facilities could hold 15,000 people for “almost 30 years” in the event of a nuclear incident.

Incidentally, the name “Ramenki-43” derives apparently from one of the many of “addresses” from which the underground network can be secretly entered.

The video below looks at such underground facilities.

A Hive Of Activity Hidden In Plain Sight?

It is an interesting concept involving “vacant lots” and part-finished building projects. Are they, to some, clear entrances to many of the underground networks and facilities? The ones that seemingly stretch out and down underneath Moscow?

We have examined previously, albeit briefly, the unfinished state-of-the-art Khovrino Hospital complex in Moscow. Work would stop in 1985 after construction began in 1980.

All manner of unsavory activity would dominate the complex in the years that would follow. This would lead to the erection of a vast fence of barbed-wire around the building. Many of the legends would seep into the urban legends of the city, such was their chilling nature. For example, one member of a film crew who spent time on the site would describe it as one of the “most feared (and) unfinished construction projects on the planet”.

Were these stories and urban legends the work of authorities in order to keep away adventure seekers? And more particularly, independent investigators? While there is no evidence for this and is pure speculation on our part, it is perhaps worthwhile speculation.

Are these complex underground tunnel networks really still active deep below Moscow? With entrances hidden in plain sight? Perhaps under the building boards of a housing development or some other “unrelated” project?

In fact, in 2006, yet another apparent entrance would come to light in an unsuspecting Moscow building.

Another Discovery Under The Scrutiny Of Authorities?

Upon the demolition of “infamous Rossiya Hotel” in the heart of Moscow, even more secrets regarding the Metro-2 surfaced. The 3,000-plus hotel began life in the mid-1960s. It would open in 1967 solely for the use of officials of the Communist Party.

Much like the destroying and stripping of materials from historic buildings in order to construct the official Moscow Metro system, a whole section of Moscow was flattened in order to make room for the government facility.

However, those involved in the hotel’s destruction to make way for a new, private project would make a strange discovery. They would break through to part of a tunnel system. This would lead to a nuclear-type bunker. The millionaire developer in charge of the project is Shalva Chigirinsky. He would state that as soon as word got around about the discovery, “mysterious agents” arrived at the site. He would state to the media that:

Some people in plain clothes are not allowing us access to an area where there is a tunnel from the Kremlin!

According to many reports from anonymous journalists, to speculate as to why such actions are taking place in the Russian press could result in the Federal Security Services (FSB) “calling in” such journalists to explain why they would question the official narrative.

It would appear, then, that the conspiracies of the vast and secret underground tunnel network under Moscow are true. They also appear, however, to remain active. Or at the very least, to still retain secrets, not for public consumption. The mystery of the Metro-2 system is likely to continue to fascinate researchers for some time to come.

Check out the video below. It looks at the Metro-2 conspiracy in a little more detail.