Ukkurey Air Base

The air base was effectively closed following the disbandment of its primary tenant, the 562nd Fighter Aviation Regiment (562 IAP), in 1994. This was part of the large-scale military restructuring, downsizing, and severe budget cuts that occurred across the Russian Armed Forces after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. With its resident unit gone, the base lost its operational purpose and was abandoned.

The site is completely abandoned and in a state of advanced decay. Satellite imagery and ground reports confirm that the runway is cracked and overgrown, and the support buildings, hangars, and personnel housing are derelict and crumbling. The hardened aircraft shelters remain visible but are empty and deteriorating. The base is not used for any military or civilian purpose and stands as a relic of the Soviet military's Cold War posture in the region.

Ukkurey Air Base was a significant Soviet Air Forces installation located in the Transbaikal Military District. Its primary strategic importance was its proximity to the Sino-Soviet border, making it a key air defense hub during the Cold War, especially after the Sino-Soviet split. The base was home to the 562nd Fighter Aviation Regiment, which was part of the 23rd Air Army. This regiment operated interceptor aircraft designed to protect Soviet airspace. Initially equipped with aircraft like the Sukhoi Su-15 'Flagon', the regiment later upgraded to the more advanced Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23ML/MLD 'Flogger-G/K'. The base featured a long runway and numerous hardened aircraft shelters (revetments), indicative of its high-readiness status.

There are no known official plans or credible prospects for reopening or reactivating Ukkurey Air Base. The cost to repair the runway and rebuild the entire infrastructure to modern standards would be prohibitive. While Russia has been reactivating some Soviet-era bases in other strategic locations (like the Arctic), Ukkurey does not appear to be a priority. Its revival is considered highly unlikely.