Postavy Air Base

The closure was a direct result of the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The primary factors were: 1) **Military Reorganization:** Following the collapse of the USSR, Russia withdrew its military forces from former Soviet republics, including Belarus. The base's resident unit, the 305th Bomber Aviation Regiment, was relocated to Russia. 2) **Geopolitical Shift:** As an independent nation, Belarus had no strategic need for, nor the economic resources to maintain, a large forward-deployment bomber base designed for operations against NATO. 3) **Economic Reasons:** The cost of maintaining such a large and specialized facility was prohibitive for the newly formed Belarusian Armed Forces.

The air base is abandoned for aviation purposes and is in a state of significant decay. Satellite imagery shows the runway and taxiways are still largely intact but are weathered, cracked, and have vegetation growing through them. The distinctive hardened aircraft shelters are still visible but are empty and deteriorating. The former garrison and technical buildings are largely derelict.

A significant portion of the former airfield, particularly on the eastern side, has been repurposed for a large solar power plant, known as the Postavy Solar Park. This development makes any future aviation use of the full site practically impossible.

Postavy Air Base was a significant strategic asset for the Soviet Air Force during the Cold War. Its primary role was to host front-line tactical bomber units.

- **Key Unit:** The base was home to the 305th Bomber Aviation Regiment (305 BAP), which was part of the 1st Guards Bomber Aviation Division of the 46th Air Army.
- **Primary Aircraft:** From the late 1970s until its closure, the regiment was equipped with the Sukhoi Su-24 (NATO reporting name: 'Fencer'), a supersonic, all-weather tactical bomber. This aircraft was a cornerstone of Soviet tactical air power, capable of carrying conventional and tactical nuclear weapons.
- **Strategic Importance:** Due to its location in the western part of the USSR, Postavy was a forward operating base. The Su-24s stationed here were intended for low-level, high-speed penetration strikes against high-value NATO targets in Central and Western Europe in the event of a conflict. The airfield's infrastructure, including a long runway and numerous hardened aircraft shelters (revetments), reflected its importance.

There are no known or credible plans to reopen Postavy Air Base. The combination of its advanced state of decay, the immense cost required for modernization, its lack of current strategic importance, and the construction of a large solar farm on its grounds makes its reactivation for either military or civilian aviation purposes highly improbable.