During the Cold War, the Soviet Union developed a radar system to quickly detect potential intercontinental missile attacks. The project was given the melodious name Zagorizontnaya radiolokatsionnaja stantsia Duga (Загоризонтная радиолокационная станция Дуга; 'over-the-horizon radar station Duga'). Although the project had been under development since shortly after World War II, it was not until 1970 that the first test setup was established. Following Duga I in 1970 and Duga II in 1982, this Duga III finally followed, which entered service in 1985.

Perhaps partly due to its phenomenal power consumption, the decision was made to build this radio station near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Barely a year later, however, this proved to be an unwise decision. As a result of the nuclear disaster, this military stronghold also fell into the exclusion zone. In 1987, the decision was made to close the complex, and some of the equipment was transferred to Duga II. However, the complex was never demolished and continues to rust away near Chernobyl.