Russia is converting the strategic airport in Kerch into a military base: possible use for drone launches and deployment of air defense systems
On the Crimean Peninsula, which has been under Russian occupation since 2014, large-scale infrastructure transformations are ongoing, particularly around the Kerch airport area. Soon, this facility could be transformed from a civilian airport into an important military base, where, according to expert assessments, modern air defense equipment and drone technologies will be stationed. These developments are reported based on open-source information, including the Russian real estate registry and satellite images from Planet Labs. The informational project "Schemes" (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) confirms that work is ongoing at this site. According to official information from Russian authorities, on March 4, 2025, a portion of the land on which the Kerch airport is situated was transferred for indefinite use to the Russian Ministry of Defense. This clearly indicates an intention to conduct military activities here, related to the training and launching of military aircraft or drones. Satellite images taken in February and June 2025 show active construction near the runway of new facilities. This includes protective and camouflage structures, equipment for concealing the airfield from potential attacks, and ensuring the safety of military operations. Aviation experts point to the nature of these developments. Among them is Anatolii Khrapchinsky, who analyzed satellite images and noted that the constructed shelters are large enough to accommodate equipment related to drones or air defense systems. According to him, the shelter structures allow for the placement of not only drones but also air defense systems, including mobile missile-gun systems such as Pantsir-S1 or Tor-M2. Khrapchinsky emphasized in his comment: "These could easily be sites for launching or servicing unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as positions for air defense assets." Regarding the airfield infrastructure, the runway, according to experts, has sufficient parameters for drone takeoff and landing. Previously, this area functioned as a parking lot for freight transport awaiting ferry crossings. However, this block has recently been relocated, allegedly due to a "reorganization of the enterprise’s operations." This indicates a change in the airport's functional purpose. At the same time, it is worth noting that the last regular passenger flight from this airport occurred in 2007, and there are no current plans to resume commercial flights. Significant regional events point to new geopolitical challenges. For example, on the night of June 9, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces, in cooperation with other elite units, carried out strikes on the Savasleyka airfield in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia. This demonstrates how Ukrainian military forces aim to weaken the logistics and military resources of the enemy, particularly through strikes on rear facilities. Overall, the situation with the Kerch airport indicates a shift from its civilian role to a military strategic asset for Russian defense. Possibly because of this, Russian authorities are beginning large-scale work on its equipment and fortifications, preparing for potential new challenges in the western and southern directions. This underscores a change in the power balance in the region and demonstrates Russia’s tendency to strengthen military presence on the temporarily occupied peninsula, which hardly facilitates the return of Crimea to Ukraine.