Reshma Air Base

The air base was closed following the disbandment of its resident military unit, the 289th Separate Helicopter Regiment. This was part of the large-scale reduction and restructuring of the Russian Armed Forces that occurred in the 1990s due to economic constraints and strategic realignment after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The site is completely abandoned and in a state of advanced dereliction. The concrete slabs of the runway, taxiways, and helicopter pads are still visible on satellite imagery but are heavily deteriorated, broken, and extensively overgrown with grass, shrubs, and young trees. Many of the slabs have been removed over the years for local construction projects. The former barracks, hangars, and support buildings are in ruins, with many having collapsed or been dismantled. The area is now a popular destination for urban explorers and is informally used by local residents.

The air base, more commonly known as Sokolskoye Air Base (Аэродром Сокольское) or Kineshma Airfield, was a significant Soviet and later Russian military helicopter base. It was home to the 289th Separate Helicopter Regiment of the Moscow Military District's Air Force. The regiment operated a variety of helicopters over its history, including heavy-lift Mi-6 and Mi-10s, and later the ubiquitous Mi-8 transport and Mi-24 attack helicopters. The base and its personnel have a notable history, with crews participating in the Soviet-Afghan War. Most significantly, personnel and helicopters from this base were heavily involved in the critical and highly hazardous liquidation operations following the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, flying missions to drop materials onto the exposed reactor core.

There are no known official plans or allocated funding for the reopening or redevelopment of the air base. While local and regional authorities have occasionally discussed the potential of reviving the airfield for general aviation or as a small regional airport to support the economy of Kineshma, the project is considered unfeasible. The immense cost required to clear the overgrown site, remove the ruined structures, and completely rebuild the runway and all necessary infrastructure makes any prospect of reopening highly unlikely in the foreseeable future.