Dorokhovo Air Base

The air base was closed as a direct result of the 2008 Russian military reform (known as the 'New Look' reform). This large-scale restructuring of the Russian Armed Forces aimed to create a more streamlined and efficient military by consolidating forces, reducing the number of units, and closing bases that were considered strategically redundant or economically inefficient to maintain. The resident 611th Fighter Aviation Regiment was disbanded, leading to the abandonment of the airfield.

The site is completely abandoned and in an advanced state of ruin. Satellite imagery and ground reports confirm that the concrete runway, taxiways, and aircraft hardstands are severely deteriorated, cracked, and overgrown with weeds and young trees. A significant portion of the concrete slabs from the runway and aprons has been dismantled and removed, likely by locals for use as building materials. All technical and administrative buildings, including hangars, barracks, and command posts, are derelict, heavily vandalized, and stripped of any valuable materials. The site is unguarded and has become a destination for urban explorers and photographers.

Dorokhovo Air Base was a significant Cold War military installation, serving as a key interceptor base within the Moscow Air Defence District. Its primary role was to defend the northwestern air approaches to Moscow against potential intruders like strategic bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. The main and long-term tenant of the base was the 611th Fighter Aviation Regiment (611 IAP). Throughout its operational history, the regiment flew a succession of Soviet interceptor aircraft, including the Su-9 'Fishpot', the Su-15TM 'Flagon', and, from the early 1990s until its closure, the formidable MiG-31 'Foxhound'. The base was a classic example of a PVO (Soviet Air Defence Forces) airfield, constantly on high alert during the Cold War.

There are no known official plans or credible prospects for reopening Dorokhovo Air Base for either military or civilian use. The cost of restoring the airfield to an operational condition would be prohibitive due to the extensive damage and the complete decay of its infrastructure, including the partially dismantled runway. Furthermore, the original strategic need for an interceptor base at this specific location has been eliminated by changes in military doctrine and the capabilities of modern, longer-range air defense systems. The base is considered permanently closed.