A man from the Soviet Union wants a new washing machine, but he can’t afford to buy it. Fortunately he works at a washing machine factory, so he decides to steal one part every day until he has everything he needs. A year later he finally has all of the parts and begins assembling it in the evening. By the next morning, he realizes he’s built a T-34 tank.

It wasn’t uncommon for Soviet military installations to be disguised (poorly) as civilian buildings. They lied to everyone, even the workers themselves, but it was an open secret. I wouldn’t be surprised if they brought the practice back.