Abandoned Soviet Army oil base in Borovka
Infrastructure

Perhaps the easiest way to travel back in time is to visit long-forgotten places. One such place is located in Borovka, Krāslava region – an abandoned Soviet-era army oil base.

A wide, asphalted road leads through the forest to the army base. You might think it's lit, because there are street lamps along the sides in a design typical of the Soviet era.

After World War II, land for the needs of the army was found on the Krāslava side – in Borovka, and in 1950, major construction began. The base, covering an area of 237 hectares, was designed as a strategic reserve oil base for the Baltic War Area with a capacity of 600,000 tons. The cadastral lists register 133 buildings located in the abandoned army area. A large part of the buildings have survived, but are in critical condition.

Rusty warning signs are scattered in many places: “Do not approach during lightning!”; “Smoking is a serious violation!”; “Do not use open fire.”

There used to be dozens of huge oil tanks here, underground bunkers, hangars, railway infrastructure, pipes through which fuel oil was pumped and filled into tanks, as well as garages, administrative and utility buildings.

After the army left, the fuel oil was stored in the tanks by the Daugavpils municipal enterprise, and for some time the Latgale branch of the Customs Administration operated the administration building. Currently, the territory belongs to “State Real Estate”.

When visiting the site, be careful; it is not safe to move between buildings, as deep wells without covers, land invasions, etc. may be hidden unnoticed in the grass.

GPS location: 55.916591, 26.96874