It was founded as a settlement around the Smolensk Nuclear Power Plant in 1974 (construction started in 1972).

[1] As a municipal division, this administrative unit also has urban okrug status.

[4] Smolensk Nuclear Power Plant is the main enterprise in Desnogorsk.

The Russian route A130, formerly A101, connecting Moscow with the border of Belarus and continuing to Babruysk, passes close to Desnogorsk.

There is also a connection to the road between Roslavl and Yelnya which continues further via Dorogobuzh and Safonovo to the M1 highway.