The Coverup: Russia's Air Bases Transformed Amid Ukrainian Drone Threat
- By Amos Chapple
Recent satellite imagery captures the reshaping of air bases throughout Russia and Crimea as the threat from Ukrainian strikes changes how Moscow houses and protects its military aircraft.
Then
Now
1
Hardened shelters at Russia's western Millerovo air base seen on October 29, 2026. A photo of the same section of the base in October 2021 shows exposed military jets parked within protective barriers.
The Millerovo base is less than 20 kilometers from Ukraine's eastern border and was one of Kyiv's first targets inside Russia when Ukraine struck it with ballistic missiles on February 25, 2022.
The Millerovo base is less than 20 kilometers from Ukraine's eastern border and was one of Kyiv's first targets inside Russia when Ukraine struck it with ballistic missiles on February 25, 2022.
Then
Now
2
Shelters seen on a section of the Kursk Vostochny airfield on October 7, 2026, and exposed military aircraft seen on the same section of the base in November 2021.
Then
Now
3
A construction site where shelters for the strategic bomber fleet of Russia's Engels air base were taking shape on October 28, 2026, and the same location seen in November 2021.
Engels has been targeted with multiple Ukrainian drone strikes since 2022 and preparatory work on hangars for the long-range bombers of the base was first spotted in early 2025.
Engels has been targeted with multiple Ukrainian drone strikes since 2022 and preparatory work on hangars for the long-range bombers of the base was first spotted in early 2025.
Then
Now
4
Shelters inside protective barriers at Crimea's Saky air base, photographed on August 23, 2026, and the same section of the base seen in April 2019.
Footage of a shelter at the Saky base that resembles those seen in this 2026 image was published in June 2025 and was described as a "concrete aircraft hangar."
Footage of a shelter at the Saky base that resembles those seen in this 2026 image was published in June 2025 and was described as a "concrete aircraft hangar."
Then
Now
5
Hardened shelters at Russia's Morozovsk air base photographed on August 3, 2026 and the same location captured in October 2023 when aircraft were parked in the open within protective barriers.
The base is around 130 kilometers from Ukraine's eastern border.
The base is around 130 kilometers from Ukraine's eastern border.
Then
Now
6
Shelters at the Belbek airfield in Crimea photographed on August 26, 2026, and a lineup of military aircraft seen on the same tarmac in October 2021.
Then
Now
7
A section of the Hvardiyske airfield, in Crimea, seen on October 11, 2026, and in May 2014.
The base in the center of the Russian-occupied peninsula has been extensively refitted for use as an attack drone launch site.
The base in the center of the Russian-occupied peninsula has been extensively refitted for use as an attack drone launch site.
