Uman Air Base

The base was closed as a major military installation following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Ukraine's subsequent nuclear disarmament. The resident 201st Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment was disbanded, and its nuclear-capable Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bombers were dismantled on-site between the late 1990s and early 2000s under the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction program.

The site is largely defunct as an active military airbase. The main runway (approximately 3,000 meters) and taxiways remain visible but are in a state of disrepair and are not maintained for aviation use. Parts of the airfield and its surrounding facilities have been repurposed for various civilian uses, including agricultural storage (grain silos), light industry, and warehousing. The runway has occasionally been used for unsanctioned auto racing, driver training, and by small general aviation or aeroclub aircraft, though it lacks official airport certification.

Uman Air Base was a key strategic military asset for the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It was home to the 201st Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment, which operated a fleet of Tupolev Tu-95MS 'Bear' strategic bombers. These aircraft were a core component of the USSR's long-range aviation and nuclear triad, capable of carrying nuclear-armed cruise missiles. After the collapse of the USSR, Ukraine inherited these bombers, making it temporarily the world's third-largest nuclear power. The base's role was to project strategic power, and its subsequent decommissioning and the scrapping of its bombers on-site symbolized a major step in post-Cold War nuclear non-proliferation.

Prior to the 2022 full-scale Russian invasion, there were significant and recurring plans to redevelop the former airbase into a civilian airport. The primary driver for these plans was to serve the tens of thousands of Hasidic Jewish pilgrims who visit the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in Uman annually, especially for Rosh Hashanah. Ukrainian government officials, including the President's office, had announced feasibility studies and intentions to construct a new terminal and upgrade the runway to handle international passenger flights (such as the Boeing 737). However, all civilian air traffic in Ukraine is suspended indefinitely due to the ongoing war. Any plans for reopening are on hold and contingent upon the end of the conflict and future national reconstruction priorities.