Kirsanov Air Base

The closure was a direct result of the large-scale military reforms and budget cuts that followed the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The Russian Armed Forces underwent significant downsizing, leading to the consolidation of training facilities and the disbandment of numerous units. The Kirsanov Military Aviation Technical School was deemed redundant, and with its closure, the supporting air base was no longer needed.

The site is completely abandoned and in a state of advanced decay. Satellite imagery confirms that the runway, taxiways, and aprons, while still visible, are cracked, weathered, and heavily overgrown, rendering them unusable for any aviation purposes. Many of the support buildings, including hangars, barracks, and administrative facilities, are derelict, with some showing collapsed roofs and structural failure. The entire airfield complex is defunct, and the adjacent military garrison is also largely deserted. There is no known current use of the airfield infrastructure.

The Kirsanov Air Base was historically significant as the home of the Kirsanov Military Aviation Technical School of Long-Range Aviation (KVATU DA). This institution was a crucial training center for the Soviet Air Force during the Cold War. It specialized in preparing thousands of ground personnel—technicians, mechanics, and weapons systems specialists—for the Soviet Union's strategic bomber fleet. Operations at the base supported the training curriculum for aircraft such as the Tupolev Tu-4, Tu-16, Tu-22, and Tu-95. The school and its associated airfield were a vital part of the logistical and support backbone for Soviet Long-Range Aviation, ensuring a steady supply of skilled ground crews for strategic air commands.

There are no known official plans or credible prospects for reopening the Kirsanov Air Base for either military or civilian use. The extensive deterioration of the runway and facilities would require a massive and cost-prohibitive investment to restore. Given Russia's current military posture of consolidating assets at fewer, more modern bases, the reopening of a derelict Cold War-era training base is considered highly improbable. The site is expected to remain abandoned.