Kildin Island is a plateau, up to 900 feet in elevation; it drops sharply to the sea on the north.
Great granite masses rise from the sea and are carved into broad terraces.
The brackish lake holds a unique species of cod (Gadus morhua kildinensis) that has adapted to it.
According to the Norwegian Organization for the Protection of the Environment, there is a deposit of expended reactors from Soviet nuclear submarines on the island.
The missile complex was operated from underground facilities and was aimed at approaching enemy surface vessels.