Chortkiv Air Base

The closure was a direct result of the large-scale military restructuring and downsizing of the Ukrainian Air Force following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The primary reasons were economic, including severe budget cuts that made operating and maintaining the base and its aircraft unfeasible, coupled with the strategic decision to retire the aging fleet of MiG-27 aircraft that were stationed there.

The air base is abandoned and in a severe state of disrepair. The main runway, taxiways, and numerous hardened aircraft shelters (HAS) are derelict, overgrown, and unsuitable for any aviation operations. For years, the site was largely unused, with some reports of it being used for local agriculture or unauthorized activities. However, its status has become more significant since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. In July 2022, the area of the former air base was reportedly targeted by Russian cruise missile strikes, suggesting that the Ukrainian military may have been using its dispersed and hardened structures for the storage of military equipment, fuel, or other supplies.

During the Cold War, Chortkiv Air Base was a significant military installation for the Soviet Air Forces. It was home to the 806th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment (806 APIB), which was part of the 289th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Division under the 44th Air Army (and later the 14th Air Army). The base's primary role was tactical ground attack. The regiment initially flew Sukhoi Su-7 aircraft before transitioning to the Mikoyan MiG-23 and ultimately the variable-sweep wing MiG-27 (specifically MiG-27K and MiG-27M/D variants). These aircraft were designed for low-level strikes against ground targets, making the base a key component of the Soviet Union's offensive military posture towards Europe. After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, the regiment and its assets were transferred to the newly formed Ukrainian Air Force, where it remained until its deactivation.

There are no known official plans or credible prospects for the full-scale reopening or modernization of Chortkiv Air Base. The cost to restore the heavily degraded infrastructure, including resurfacing the entire runway and taxiway system and rebuilding operational facilities, would be substantial. Given the ongoing war, Ukraine's military and financial resources are focused on maintaining and defending existing, active airfields. A complete reactivation of Chortkiv is considered highly unlikely in the foreseeable future.