Russia hides military aircraft at civilian airports: satellite images revealed
Russia is deploying military aircraft at civilian airfields, effectively using them as cover.
Source: Ukrainian media outlet NV, citing Maxar and SkySat satellite imagery
Quote: "Unlike strategic aircraft, which are capable of covering thousands of kilometres with aerial refuelling, tactical aircraft cannot operate too far from the front line. To address this problem, the Russian military has resorted to deploying some combat aircraft at civilian airfields."
Details: It is noted that after a series of successful strikes by Ukraine's defence forces on Russian airbases, as well as Operation Spiderweb, the Kremlin relocated part of its strategic aircraft farther from the border with Ukraine. Meanwhile, certain types of aircraft began to be deployed at civilian airfields.
"In this way, they are effectively using civilian passengers as a human shield," NV states.
The analysis of satellite imagery shows that such cases have been recorded at at least five airfields.
At Zhukovsky International Airport, at least four Tu-160 strategic bombers were recorded, along with one Tu-95 and one Tu-22M3. A comparison of images from different dates indicates that some of these aircraft are regularly moved, which may suggest operational use despite assumptions that some airframes had museum status.
Parts of the airport are blurred on Yandex Maps, hinting at the facility's military use and attempts by Russian authorities to conceal this fact.
At Petrozavodsk Airport, a significant number of fighter jets and bombers, likely Su- or MiG-type aircraft, were identified. Analysis of images from March and April 2026 shows that at least several aircraft conduct regular flights, and the runway is cleared of snow specifically for their operation.
At Anapa International Airport, at least four combat aircraft were recorded, including Su-30 or Su-34 aircraft, as well as Su-24 aircraft. A comparison of images from November 2025 to March 2026 confirms their movement, indicating active use.
At Mineralnye Vody Airport, Tu-134UBL/UBK training aircraft were identified, used for training or maintaining flight proficiency of strategic aviation crews, including those operating Tu-22M3 and Tu-160 aircraft.
At Nizhny Novgorod Airport, at least five Il-76 military transport aircraft were recorded, most of which are in service with the Russian Armed Forces. Analysis of images from 2025 and 2026 shows that some of them conduct regular flights. In addition, an An-124 Ruslan transport aircraft was recorded at the airport on at least two occasions, which may also be used for military purposes.
Meanwhile, all these airports continue to handle civilian flights, including domestic and international routes, particularly to Türkiye, Armenia, Georgia, and Central Asian countries.
Background:
- Russia uses only seven out of 18 Tu-160 strategic bombers for strikes against Ukraine, while the rest are undergoing maintenance, modernisation or being used for training.
- Russia lost up to 21 tactical aircraft in 2025. Among them were Su-34 frontline bombers, Su-35 and Su-30 fighter jets, MiG-31 aircraft, carrier-based MiG-29K aircraft and Su-25 attack aircraft. Some were destroyed directly at airfields as a result of drone strikes.
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