Soviet-era Tesla Tower restarted with spectacular lightning bolts (VIDEO)
- Details
- Written by AndEl
A massive Soviet-built generator – once used for testing the resistance of aircraft to lightning, but now largely mothballed due to prohibitive costs – has staged a striking demonstration test at the behest of RT.
The 6-Megavolt device, one of the most powerful in the world, is capable of generating 200 meter-long lightning bolts, and was constructed in the 1970s at a closed facility outside Moscow, but fell into disuse after the collapse of the USSR.
The futuristic complex of entangled metal coils hidden in a secured virgin forest made it a cult object for urban explorers. Teams of camera-equipped youths navigated their way and documented the rusting coils and huge locks on their blogs.
But what many of them didn’t understand is why their hair began to stand up as they got closer to the mysterious object, and were even more stunned seconds later a blue lights began to strike meters away. Facility chief Vladimir Sysoev says that many were seconds from death, and that it is by pure luck that no one has died during a test.

“They just keep coming and coming, and they’ve been lucky to avoid killing themselves so far! It’s impossible to keep ‘tourists’ out,” said Sysoyev.
Indeed, despite its reputation as an abandoned site, the ‘Tesla Tower’ (which is actually a Marx Generator, not a Tesla coil) has been active all of these years.
The High Voltage Research Center at the All Russian Electrotechnical Institute named after V.I. Lenin – made only slightly more palatable by its acronym VNITZ VEI – has its own operating website, on which anyone can ask for lightning resistance and insulation tests for airplanes and other heavy industrial equipment that needs certification.

In Russia’s post-industrial phase, the takers are few and far apart. Even in Soviet times, the facility was handed over from military to civilian use shortly after construction.
But at least then, no one counted the cost of electricity. Now every test, which unleashes as much energy as 25,000 plugged-in sockets working all at once (albeit only for a fraction of a second), has to be paid for, meaning bills that run into the tens of thousands of dollars each year.

The tightly-knit crew of scientists, many of whom have spent decades at the facility, hope that the recent flash of attention will bring in more interest. And so, in their keenness to prove that it all still works, they set off a display just for us.
And even if no planes will come here for tests, they are worth it for the aesthetic value alone.

Credit: rt.com
Liked this article? Dive deeper into personal growth and wellness! Check out CrystalWind.ca for spiritual wisdom or explore AromaWorx.ca for natural well-being tips. Spread the positivity—share this with friends on their happiness journey!
Let’s Chat! Drop Your Thoughts Below!
Latest Articles
Dive into the Mystical World of the Crystal Wind Oracle Deck!
Get All the Enchanting Details Now!
NEW Expanded Boxed Edition!
Now with 58 Cards for Richer Wisdom!

Imagine a world of inspiration and healing, free for all—made possible by YOU!
Donate Now—Ignite the Magic at CrystalWind.ca!
Epilepsy - Finding A Cure
Your donation can make a difference!
Help us find a cure – donate now!
Unlock Your Light: Join Lightworkers Worldwide on CrystalWind.ca!
Follow Us!
Who is Online Now
We have 33371 guests and no members online
Featured This Month
The Time of No Time: Beltane!
Around the medicine wheel of life we go, from season to season (solstice to ... Read more
The Crystal Wind Oracle Card Deck
The Crystal Wind Oracle™ The Crystal Wind Oracle Myth & Magic Card D... Read more
Budding Trees Moon: Medicine Wheel Insights!
Red Hawk - Fire Opal - Dandelion - Yellow March 21 – April 19 The Budding Tr... Read more
Birth Totem Falcon: Are You a Natural Leader…
Birth Totem Falcon Birth dates: March 21 – April 19 Birth Totem is: Falcon... Read more
Dandelion: The Surprising Power of this Medi…
Reminds you of the abundance life holds. Gender: Masculine Planet: Jupiter E... Read more
Eudialyte: Your Aries Power Stone Revealed!
Eudialyte Birthstone: Aries Planet: Mars Element: Fire Chakra: Heart Eud... Read more
Aries Mythology: Discover the Secrets
The Mythology of Aries When we dive into the mythology of Aries, we need to... Read more
Sun in Aries: Unleash Your Power!
Aries March 21 through April 20 An Overview of Sun Sign Characteristics for A... Read more
Green Aventurine
The Emotional Balancer Stone Green Aventurine is perhaps the best balancing... Read more
Bright Beltane Blessings!
The wheel turns to Beltane, also known as Mayday, marking the beginning of S... Read more