Seversk is probably a name that doesn’t ring a bell unless you have the peculiar interest of closed Russian cities. The city lies in the steppes of Siberia and was created during the Cold War with the name Tomsk-7 and was home to several secret operations during the Soviet Era. If this sounds intriguing and you would like to learn more about this city, keep reading; this article covers all the important (but limited) information you can find about this closed Russian city.
What Are Closed Russian Cities?
Only in Russia, you’ll find closed cities where people lived, worked on something that was a top secret, and were not allowed to share any information with their relatives or the outside world. They were not allowed to leave and their cities were not even marked on any maps.
The origin of these closed cities, or “ZATO” (Closed Administrative-Territorial Formations), dates back to the Soviet era when these cities were created primarily for security reasons, including around military developments, secret research facilities, and other top secret stuff. It was the Soviet Union’s way of trying to progress in the arms race and nuclear research without the rest of the world knowing.
Fast forward to today, and many of these cities have come out of the shadows, at least a little. Some remain closed due to ongoing military or research activities, but others are not closed anymore, at least not in the same sense as before but still, they’re not rushing to welcome tourists, and visiting them, especially as a foreigner can be very tricky, if not impossible.
These cities are like time capsules, preserving a slice of Cold War history that can’t be found anywhere else (literally, because that was the whole purpose of their existence).
A Little Bit About Seversk
So, why the secrecy? Well, rewind to 1949. The Cold War was more than just a frosty political standoff; it was the era of the nuclear arms race. Russia, keen on not falling behind, decided, “Hey, let’s build some secret cities for our atomic work.” Enter Seversk, stage left, one of those cities.
What’s in it? Well let’s just say not a lot of bustling marketplaces and vibrant city life and more of old nuclear reactors and isotopes. Seversk is home to the Siberian Chemical Combine (SCC), a name that pretty much tells you it’s not about making perfume. This facility is all about nuclear research and production. And by that, I mean stuff like plutonium production for nuclear weapons and processing nuclear fuel. Not exactly your typical factory job, right?
So, what’s Seversk known for? Well, aside from its ‘Top Secret’ label, nothing much really. Except maybe as a living proof of the lengths countries go to in the name of so-called national security and scientific advancement.
Can You Visit Seversk?
Well, it’s tricky. Seversk is like that exclusive club with a bouncer who doesn’t smile. You need special permission to get in and getting it is not a simple feat by no means. You need official government approval and we both know you’re not getting that unless you’re like a top-tier scientist who just decided to work with the Russian government.
Why all the secrecy? It’s about security, really. This city is part of Russia’s strategic facilities, and they’re not keen on having tourists wandering around their top-secret nuclear work. It’s less ‘Welcome to Seversk’ and more ‘Nothing to see here, folks.’
But if you do want to visit Russia, make sure to check out our list of vacation spots in Russia and this list of underrated destinations in Russia.
A Brief History Of Seversk
The city was officially created in 1949, as the Cold War had already started and the nuclear arms race between the two largest world superpowers was beginning. Russia opened many closed cities across the country and Seversk (back then known as Tomsk-7) was just one of them.
Seversk was built with the goal of being a key player in the Soviet Union’s nuclear program. The main “attraction” was the Siberian Chemical Combine (SCC) producing plutonium for the Soviet Union’s nuclear arsenal.
In addition to this, Seversk was a proper city, with people living, working, and raising families and its own small community even though the place didn’t officially exist on maps.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, closed cities were allowed to get back their previous names, and Tomsk 7 was renamed to Seversk. In the late 80s and early 90s, the restrictions were partially lifted at least for the city’s residents, many of whom were regularly traveling to neighboring Tomsk for work but the city remains closed to non-residents even today.
Are you looking for some Russia travel inspiration? Then you may also like our guide to visiting Sochi, our guide to taking the train from Moscow to Vladivostok, and our guide to Yekaterinburg.
Life In Seversk
First off, how’s Seversk run? All closed cities in Russia are under the constant watch of the Russian government and the mayor isn’t always the most important figure in town. In Seversk, the “Big Brother is always watching… and also managing”.
The main factory in town is the Siberian Chemical Combine (SCC), which focuses on nuclear research. Aside from that, there’s a mix of support services and smaller industries that cater to the needs of the city’s residents and that’s pretty much all and whatever they lack, is brought by the Government because economically speaking, Seversk is like a one-trick pony, and that trick is nuclear science. Life in Seversk revolves around it.
The city is located in Siberia, where, you get the worst of the typical Russian winters– long, cold, and snowy, with summers that are short and mild. It’s the kind of place where you get to know your snow shovel on a first-name basis.
As far as connections to other cities, Seversk is not the most connected place. Being a closed city means there isn’t daily buses or trains connecting it to the larger regional hubs. You can’t just hop on a bus and go to Seversk. Access is restricted, and you need special permission to visit.