Siversky Air Base

The air base was closed as part of the 2008-2009 Russian military reforms (the 'New Look' reforms). These reforms aimed to streamline and modernize the armed forces by reducing the number of military units and bases. The 67th Bomber Aviation Regiment, the last active unit at the base, was disbanded, and the airfield was deemed redundant and subsequently deactivated. The closure was a result of strategic military restructuring and consolidation, not a specific accident or economic failure.

As of the early 2020s, Siversky Air Base is abandoned and in a state of decay. Satellite imagery and reports from urban explorers show the runway, taxiways, and aircraft revetments are still intact but are cracked and overgrown with vegetation. Most buildings, including hangars, barracks, and administrative facilities, are derelict and have been looted or have fallen into disrepair. The site is inactive for any aviation purposes and is essentially a 'ghost' airfield. While likely still under nominal military control to prevent unauthorized access, it is not maintained for operational use.

Siversky Air Base has a long and significant history. Established in the 1930s, it was a key airfield for the Soviet Air Forces in the Leningrad Military District. During World War II, it was heavily involved in the defense of Leningrad. It was captured by German forces in August 1941 and used by the Luftwaffe before being recaptured by the Red Army in January 1944. During the Cold War, it was a major frontline air base. Its most notable resident unit was the 67th Bomber Aviation Regiment (67 BAP). This regiment operated various aircraft over the decades, including the Ilyushin Il-28 'Beagle' jet bomber, the Yakovlev Yak-28 'Brewer' multirole combat aircraft, and, from the mid-1970s until its disbandment, the Sukhoi Su-24 'Fencer' tactical bomber. The base's strategic location near Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) and the Baltic states made it a vital component of the Soviet Union's northwestern air defense and strike capabilities.

There are no confirmed, official plans from the Russian Ministry of Defence to reopen or reactivate Siversky Air Base. Over the years, there have been periodic rumors and inclusion in preliminary lists for potential airfield restoration projects, but none have materialized. The significant degradation of the runway and infrastructure after more than a decade of neglect means that reopening the base for modern military aircraft would require a massive and costly reconstruction effort. Given the existence of other active air bases in the region, its reactivation remains highly unlikely in the near future.