Pugachev, RU 🇷🇺 Closed Airport
ICAO
RU-0017
IATA
-
Elevation
- ft
Region
RU-SAR
Local Time
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: 51.977055° N, 48.720417° E
Continent: Asia
Type: Closed Airport
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Approximately 2011-2012
Military Decommissioning. The airport, which was a military airbase, was closed following the disbandment of the 626th Training Helicopter Regiment (Military Unit 93836) stationed there. This was part of a larger Russian military reform and optimization program aimed at consolidating training and operational units, which led to the closure of numerous smaller airfields.
The airbase is abandoned and in a state of decay. Satellite imagery and local reports confirm that the runway, taxiways, and aprons are still visible but are cracked, overgrown with vegetation, and unusable for aviation. The hangars, barracks, and administrative buildings are derelict and have been subject to vandalism and scavenging for materials. The site is not officially used for any purpose and is guarded, though security is often minimal. It is a popular location for urban explorers.
Pugachev was a significant military training airbase, primarily for the Soviet and later Russian Air Force. Its main role was to serve as a training ground for the Syzran Higher Military Aviation School for Pilots (SVVAUL), one of the country's main helicopter pilot training centers. The base was home to the 626th Training Helicopter Regiment, which conducted initial and advanced flight training for cadets. Operations primarily involved military training helicopters such as the Mil Mi-2, Mi-8, and Mi-24. The airfield played a crucial role for decades in producing a steady stream of qualified helicopter pilots for the armed forces. Its historical ICAO code during operation was UVS P (УВСП).
There are no known official plans or credible prospects for reopening the Pugachev airbase for either military or civilian use. The cost of restoring the heavily deteriorated infrastructure would be prohibitive. Furthermore, the military's current training needs are met by other consolidated, modern airbases. There is no significant economic or logistical demand for a civilian airport in the area that would justify the massive investment required for its reconstruction and certification.