Russians start building shelters at the Primorsko-Akhtarsk air base

22 December, 2024 A Russian Su-24. Photo credits: Enlarged models Russians have begun construction of aircraft shelters at the Primorsko-Akhtarsk air base in the Krasnodar Krai.

Brady Africk published satellite images of the construction on the X social media. The satellite images also confirmed a significant expansion of construction work at airfields where Russian fighter jets and bomber aircraft are based. For example, it was confirmed that the construction of shelters at the Prymorsko-Akhtarsk air base is nearing completion, as metal structures have already been erected on single parking lots and concrete has been poured around them.

Protective shelters for aircraft at the Primorsko-Akhtarsk air base.

Photo credits: planet labs

The airfield is located 127 kilometers from the Ukrainian state border and approximately 230-250 kilometers from the Ukrainian government-controlled territory. It serves as a location for Russian attack aircraft, including Su-25 attack aircraft. In addition to basing Su-25s, the airfield has also been used to launch Shahed kamikaze drones into Ukraine.

Primorsko-Akhtarsk air base.

Photo credits: Google Maps

Previously, single parking lots at the airfield had minimal protection in the form of mounds. However, due to Ukraine's active use of long-range weapons, in particular against airfields, and significant losses of Russian aviation on the ground, such protection has become insufficient. In addition to Primorsko-Akhtarsk air base, the Russians also started constructing protective shelters on the territory of the seized Belbek military airfield located in temporarily occupied Crimea.

Soviet-era mound shelters at the Primorsko-Akhtarsk airfield.

Photo credits: Google Maps

In addition to the fortified individual aircraft shelters, satellite imagery also showed the construction of less protected lightweight shelters. These structures are created using traditional frame structures and are located in group parking lots where combat aircraft are usually prepared for takeoff and weapons are hung. It is worth noting that the construction of shelters at the Belbek airfield is strategically important for the Russians, as this facility is within range of most strike assets of the Ukrainian Defense Forces and has been repeatedly targeted.

Construction of aircraft shelters is currently underway at the airfields in Kursk, Akhtubinsk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Yeysk, Morozovsk, Millerovo, Krymsk, and Belbek. Militarnyi previously reported that the Russians started building airfield hangars to protect aircraft from attack drones and missiles with a cluster warhead. The construction of new hangar structures was spotted on satellite images at the Marinovka airfield, located in the Volgograd region of the Russian Federation, 300 km from the border with Ukraine.

The photos show twelve new hangars, which shelter Su-24 bombers and Su-34 fighter-bombers.