Russia is constructing different types of shelters at its airbases, according to recent reports and satellite imagery. This effort appears aimed at protecting aircraft from ongoing Ukrainian drone and missile attacks. The construction includes both concrete shelters for tactical aircraft and larger hangar-like structures for strategic bombers and transport planes.
Contents
Why Russia is Building Shelters
The urgent need for aircraft protection at Russian airbases became apparent following systematic Ukrainian drone strikes targeting tactical aviation airfields starting in 2024. This need intensified significantly after Ukraine began using ATACMS ballistic missiles equipped with cluster warheads, which can cover a large area.
Tactical Aircraft Shelters
Construction of shelters for tactical aviation, such as Su-30, Su-34, and Su-35 aircraft, began in 2024. These are typically concrete structures. Standard Soviet-era shelters like the 2A13 often cannot fully accommodate modern Su-27-based aircraft due to their size. An older standard, the 2A19 for the Su-27, had internal dimensions of 29 by 18.6 meters with thick concrete and steel walls designed for protection.
One of the first Russian bases where tactical shelter construction is nearing completion is Khalino, located near Kursk, approximately 100 km from the Ukrainian border. These concrete structures are intended to offer effective protection against drone attacks and cluster munitions.
Strategic Aircraft Shelters
Separately, the implementation of plans to build shelters for strategic bombers, such as the Tu-160 and Tu-95MS, began earlier, around April 2025, notably before specific Ukrainian operations like “Operation Spider’s Web.” Satellite imagery of bases like Engels near Saratov supports this timeline.
Strategic aircraft are significantly larger than tactical ones, requiring much bigger facilities. A Tu-160, for example, measures over 54 meters in length, while a Tu-95MS is around 49 meters long with a 50-meter wingspan. A secure facility for a Tu-160 would need to accommodate these large dimensions.
Just days before Ukrainian drones reportedly attacked strategic aircraft, Russia unveiled a model of a facility intended for storing large aircraft.
Tent-mobile shelter model for Russian strategic aircraft
This recently revealed structure is described not as a reinforced concrete bunker, but a “tent-mobile shelter” or hangar. It measures 60 by 65 meters with a height of 26 meters, covering an area of 3,900 square meters. It’s designed to house Tu-160, Tu-95, Il-76 transport aircraft, and A-50 variants. Its design is a “sandwich” type with tent fabric layers and foamed polyethylene insulation, equipped with a fire extinguishing system.
Differences in Protection
The distinction between shelter types is significant. Tactical aircraft shelters are being built as concrete structures offering protection against physical attacks like drones and cluster munitions. In contrast, the new large structures for strategic and transport aircraft are described as hangars primarily designed for storage and maintenance, potentially offering protection against weather but not reinforced like typical defensive bunkers. This is relevant as Russian strategic aircraft are often parked and serviced outdoors.
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Conclusion
Russia is actively constructing various types of shelters at its airbases to mitigate losses from Ukrainian strikes. While concrete shelters for tactical aircraft provide physical protection against munitions, the large facilities for strategic bombers appear to be less fortified hangars primarily for storage and maintenance. The timing of this construction varies by aircraft type, with tactical shelter work accelerating more recently in response to direct threats, while strategic shelter plans were initiated earlier.
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