Aste Air Base

The closure was a direct result of major geopolitical events: the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. The occupying Soviet military forces withdrew from the newly independent Republic of Estonia, which had no operational need or financial resources to maintain such a large and specialized military air base.

The site is completely abandoned and in a state of decay. The main 2500-meter concrete runway, taxiways, and numerous hardened aircraft shelters (HAS) are still visible but are deteriorating. The infrastructure has been stripped of valuable materials over the years, and many of the concrete slabs from aprons and taxiways have been removed for local construction projects. The long, straight runway is unofficially and sometimes illegally used for driving practice, drag racing, and other recreational activities. The entire area is a popular destination for urban explorers and historians interested in Cold War-era military ruins.

Aste Air Base was a key strategic military installation for the Soviet Air Defence Forces (PVO) during the Cold War. Located on the island of Saaremaa, it provided a forward operating position for controlling the airspace over the Baltic Sea. The base was home to fighter-interceptor units, most notably the 425th Fighter Aviation Regiment (425 IAP). This regiment operated various aircraft over the years, including the MiG-17, MiG-19, and the Sukhoi Su-9 ('Fishpot') supersonic interceptor. Its primary mission was to intercept NATO aircraft, particularly reconnaissance planes and bombers, making it a critical node in the Soviet Union's western air defense network.

There are no known plans or realistic prospects for reopening Aste Air Base. The cost of renovating the derelict infrastructure to meet modern aviation standards would be prohibitively expensive. For civilian purposes, the island of Saaremaa is adequately served by the smaller Kuressaare Airport (EEKE). From a military perspective, the Estonian Air Force operates from the modern, NATO-standard Ämari Air Base on the mainland, making Aste strategically redundant.