The KGB's good spy guide to British cities

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Last Updated: 12:01am GMT 01/03/2007


Click to enlarge: Map of London

Russian spy maps of the UK produced by the KGB during the Cold War have been released for the first time.

They were produced by the Russian military between 1950 and 1997 as part of a worldwide strategy for global domination.

The maps feature details not present on Ordnance Survey maps because of political and military sensitivities at the time.

Using aerial photos, satellite images, local knowledge and even spies to compile their maps, the Russians mapped 6,178 square miles of the UK, including 103 major UK towns and cities.


Click to enlarge: Map of Manchester


The mapping operation formed part of the most comprehensive global survey ever attempted, with the Russian military creating detailed, accurate maps of almost 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.

The maps, bought by the digital mapping provider Landmark Information Group from East View Cartographics, include London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, York, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and smaller coastal towns such as Weymouth in Dorset, and Falmouth, in Cornwall.


Click to enlarge: Map of Newcastle


John Davies, an expert on Russian maps, said: "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."Gallery

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