Russian spies have us mapped out

Landmark adds Russian military maps to its historical map archive

Russian spy maps of the UK, produced by the KGB during the `Cold War`, have officially arrived in British hands through digital mapping provider Landmark Information Group.

The maps were purchased for an undisclosed sum by the UK`s leading land data intelligence specialist to add to its comprehensive database of land, property and environmental information - the largest of its kind in Europe.

Available commercially for the first time in digital format, these unique maps were produced by the Russian Military from 1950 to the 1997 and reveal features not present on Ordnance Survey maps due to political and military sensitivities at the time. The maps include an additional 1,000 new, and potentially contaminative features, along with 3,000 other named uses such as extra quarries, pits, military features, warehouses and much more.

Using aerial photos, satellite images, local knowledge and even spies to compile their maps, the Russians have mapped 16,000 sq km of the UK, including 103 major UK towns and cities. This impressive mapping operation formed part of the most comprehensive global survey every attempted, with the Russian military creating detailed, accurate maps of practically every country in the world. The maps reveal the exact location and purpose of every structure of possible military importance including the width of roads, the height of bridges, the depth of rivers, train and bus stations and prisons.

Russian map expert, John Davies, commented:

`Realising the military, economic and political benefits of topographic information, the Soviet military set about mapping the whole world - a mammoth task which took over 50 years before, during and after the Cold War to complete. Today, very little is known about how the organisation was structured and how such incredible results were achieved. Certainly the operation was militarily driven, very well controlled, achieving spectacular results. Ultimately, futile of course, if the purpose was world domination, but for mapping professionals they provide a fascinating and invaluable insight as to the structure of our towns and use of land during this period.`

Richard Pawlyn, Managing Director of Landmark`s Property and Environment division commented:

`At Landmark we continuously strive to search out new datasets, from even the unlikeliest of sources - which will aid the identification of potentially contaminative features. This Russian mapping will certainly provide an enormously valuable addition to our dataset. Having access to detailed and comprehensive mapping for site investigations is critical for environmental consultants and property professionals, particularly to protect both themselves and clients from costly liability claims should a site present environmental risks. Who would have thought 50 years ago that Russian surveillance would be used by environmental consultants to identify potentially contaminative features in the UK?`

Over 45 of Landmark`s clients including WSP, ERM and RPS were treated to a special preview last night of the Russian maps at the Absolut Ice Bar, in London. At the exclusive event, attendees enjoyed all that is Russian including vodka cocktails and Russian hats, as well as witnessing the MI6 interrogation of a captured KGB operative (played by actors), in an attempt to reveal the whereabouts of the Russian maps.