A large proportion of its population is made up of military personnel associated with the nuclear test sites located on the island.

Upon visiting Novaya Zemlya in 1894, Arkhangelsk Governor Aleksandr Engelgardt [ru] decided to create a new encampment.

U-601 torpedoed and sank the Soviet merchant ship Krestianin, carrying coal, as it neared Belushya Guba.

U-209 departed when a Soviet coast guard ship and icebreaker SKR-18 (formerly Fedor Litke) approached from Belushuya Guba.

Belushya Guba is located on a deep bay with the same name, within a geographical area that is influenced by warm ocean currents.

The natural conditions allow year-round sailing of all types and classes of vessels with minimal cost for icebreaking support.