Kryuchkovo Air Base

Military restructuring and economic reasons following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The air base was closed after its resident unit, the 148th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, was disbanded.

The air base is completely abandoned and in a state of advanced decay. The 2500-meter concrete runway, taxiways, and aircraft revetments are crumbling, overgrown with vegetation, and have been partially dismantled by locals for construction materials. The technical facilities, hangars, command posts, and the buildings of the adjacent military garrison (gorodok) are derelict and have been heavily vandalized. The site is a popular destination for urban explorers and photographers, and remaining sections of the runway are sometimes used for informal auto racing and drifting events.

Kryuchkovo was a key air defense base during the Cold War, serving as a critical component of the Moscow Air Defence District's outer ring. It was the home base for the 148th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (148 GvIAP), a distinguished unit with a history dating back to World War II. The primary mission of the regiment was to provide air defense for the capital, intercepting potential enemy bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. Throughout its operational history, the base hosted a succession of Soviet interceptor aircraft, including the Yak-25, Su-9, Yak-28P, and most notably, the high-speed MiG-25P/PD 'Foxbat'. The presence of these advanced interceptors underscored the base's strategic importance in the Soviet Union's defense posture.

There are no known official plans or credible prospects for reopening Kryuchkovo Air Base. The extensive degradation of the airfield infrastructure, including the runway and support facilities, would require a prohibitively expensive and complete reconstruction. Given the proximity of other active military airfields and the current strategic landscape, its reactivation for either military or civilian aviation is considered extremely unlikely.