Military correspondent Aleksandr Sladkov argues that Russia should take a hard look at Iran’s experience, where a network of underground plants hosts key facilities of its military-industrial complex. He believes this model could serve as a crucial lesson for Moscow.

In his Telegram channel, Sladkov said that, in his view, Iran hides critical assets underground, while Russia continues to store «millions» of munitions out in the open and leaves its oil infrastructure exposed. He contrasted Tehran’s approach with what he described as Russia’s vulnerable logistics and energy links.

Sladkov is convinced that the moment has come for Russia to move to large-scale construction of underground storage sites, military towns, airfields and communications infrastructure. He insists that the earlier Russia starts down this path, the better it will be for the country’s security, and argues that the construction troops should be revived to make this possible.

He also stated that even a victory in the special military operation would not mean the end of confrontation for Moscow. According to him, a vast «underground construction» program would become a logical and unavoidable continuation of the conflict. Sladkov added that if the Russian Federation has the funds to wage a prolonged confrontation, then, in his words, it will also be able to find resources for such an underground megaproject.