Bobr Air Base

Geopolitical change and military restructuring. Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, Belarus declared itself a non-nuclear state. The strategic, nuclear-capable Tupolev Tu-22M3 bombers stationed at Bobr were transferred to Russia by 1994. The new Belarusian Air Force did not have the economic means or strategic doctrine to operate a long-range bomber fleet, leading to the disbandment of the resident aviation regiment and the base's transition to a reserve/storage status.

The air base has been reactivated for military use, primarily by Russian forces, in the context of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. After years of being a largely dormant reserve and storage facility with decaying infrastructure, significant activity was observed starting in late 2022. Satellite imagery has revealed runway clearing, construction of new revetments and facilities, and the deployment of Russian military assets. The base has been used to host Russian aircraft, including MiG-31K fighters (capable of launching Kinzhal hypersonic missiles), Il-76 transport planes, and potentially other tactical aircraft. It functions as a forward operating base for Russian Aerospace Forces, enhancing their operational reach into Ukraine.

Bobr Air Base was a key strategic installation for the Soviet Long-Range Aviation (Dalnyaya Aviatsiya) during the Cold War. Its primary purpose was to project power towards Western Europe. The base was home to the 290th Guards Red Banner Bomber Aviation Regiment (290 Gv BAP). Historically, this regiment operated Tupolev Tu-16 'Badger' bombers before re-equipping with the supersonic Tupolev Tu-22M2 'Backfire-B' and later the advanced Tu-22M3 'Backfire-C' strategic bombers. These aircraft were capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear payloads, including Kh-22 anti-ship missiles, making the base a significant threat to NATO land forces and naval battle groups in the North Atlantic.

The air base has effectively been reopened for military operations, though not with a permanently stationed Belarusian bomber regiment as in its Soviet past. Its future is intrinsically linked to the military alliance between Belarus and Russia and the ongoing geopolitical situation in Eastern Europe. There are no known plans to convert it to a civilian airport. It is expected to remain a key military installation, likely serving as a joint-use or Russian-operated forward base for the foreseeable future. Further development and fortification of the base are possible depending on regional military dynamics.