Kunda Air Base

The air base was closed following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the restoration of Estonia's independence in 1991. The primary reason for its closure was the subsequent withdrawal of all Russian (formerly Soviet) military forces from Estonian territory, which was completed by August 31, 1994. As a Soviet military installation, it had no purpose under the new Estonian government and was handed over to Estonian authorities.

The site has a dual status. The vast majority of the former Soviet military base, including dozens of hardened aircraft shelters, barracks, and technical buildings, is abandoned and in a state of advanced decay. These areas are freely accessible and are a popular destination for urban explorers. However, a portion of the original infrastructure, specifically the main 2500-meter concrete runway and some taxiways, has been maintained and certified as a civil airfield. It is now known as Kunda Airfield (ICAO: EEKU). It is used for general aviation, private flights, pilot training, and parachute jumping. The long, straight runway also makes it a popular venue for legal drag racing events and other automotive activities.

Kunda Air Base was a significant Soviet Air Force front-line air base during the Cold War. Its strategic location on the coast of the Gulf of Finland made it a key asset for the Baltic Military District. The base was primarily home to the 656th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment (656-й истребительно-бомбардировочный авиационный полк). This regiment operated various ground-attack aircraft, most notably the Sukhoi Su-17 (NATO reporting name: 'Fitter') in its later years. The base featured a long concrete runway, numerous hardened aircraft shelters (HAS), and extensive support infrastructure. Its primary mission in a potential conflict with NATO would have been to conduct air strikes against targets in the Baltic Sea region and Scandinavia. The base is a classic example of Soviet military infrastructure built in occupied territories during the Cold War era.

*Note on Identifiers*: The ICAO code 'EE-9278' provided in the query is a non-standard identifier, possibly from a specific database. The coordinates (59.536701, 26.311701) point to a field west of Kunda and appear to be incorrect. The actual historical Kunda Air Base is located southeast of the town at approximately 59.51° N, 26.55° E. The active civil portion of this site now uses the ICAO code EEKU.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Kunda as a military air base. The Estonian Defence Forces have consolidated their air operations at Ämari Air Base. However, there have been recurring discussions and proposals regarding the development of the civil Kunda Airfield (EEKU). Due to its proximity to the industrial town of Kunda and the major Port of Kunda, plans have been floated to develop it into a regional cargo airport to support local industry, such as the Kunda Nordic Tsement factory. These plans have not materialized into significant investment or expansion to date, and the airfield remains primarily a general aviation facility.