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In 2022, the demand for private bunkers in Russia went up significantly – a particular uptick was recorded after President Vladimir Putin announced “partial” mobilization in late September, reported RBC-Real Estate citing companies involved in the industry. Private bunkers can be built on dachas (country homes) and other private properties.
According to Nikita Malezhik, founder of the BunkerHouse project, the number of requests for bunker construction on the company's website went up by 430% after September 21. “Although not all of the requests made it to the implementation stage, there was increased interest. This wasn’t the case even after the [Special Military Operation] began,” Malezhik said.
“For example, people called us and said they needed a bunker for nine people right away – as soon as tomorrow. Which was impossible to do in such a short time frame, it takes an average of two to three months to build,” said the expert.
There are several types of bunkers, which can be placed on your own property. These are modular objects, which essentially mean that a ready-made bunker is brought in and assembled on the spot. For example, it may be a metal “barrel” with all the necessary equipment inside, which is then buried on site, experts told RBC. There are also objects requiring capital construction – when a bunker is built in reinforced concrete directly on the property. An existing room, such as a basement, can also be converted to a bunker. Both types of bunkers can protect against artillery shells, mortar fire or shock waves.
The cost of a bunker depends on its area, equipment, design, as well as the geological properties of the land in question. Prices start at 1 million roubles (approximately $16,000) for a hydro- and thermally insulated concrete structure. The cost of a bunker in a converted basement can come in at 6-7 million roubles ($95,000-$111,500), while quotes for new facilities range from 15-20 million roubles ($240,000-$319,000), experts told RBC.
On October 15, underground parking lots in Moscow began to be converted to bomb shelters. Announcements on the preparation of various locations for “taking in those in need of shelter” were put up on the doors of houses of Moscow’s “Atom” residential cooperative on Demyan Bedny Street. Residents were asked to free parking lots from personal belongings and cars, as they will “be brought in line with the intended purpose of civil defense facilities.” The announcement added that the decision was made at a council meeting at Moscow City Hall presided by Deputy Mayor Pyotr Biryukov.