Pochetnoye Airfield

The airfield was closed due to military restructuring and downsizing following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Its primary operator, a Soviet Naval Aviation regiment, was disbanded, and the aircraft it operated were phased out. The subsequent economic decline in the post-Soviet era meant there were no resources or strategic need to maintain the base, leading to its abandonment.

The airfield is completely abandoned and in a state of advanced decay. Satellite imagery confirms that the main runway, taxiways, and aircraft aprons are severely cracked, deteriorated, and heavily overgrown with grass and shrubs. Most of the support buildings, hangars, and barracks are in ruins, with many having been dismantled for building materials over the years. The site is not used for any aviation purposes and remains a relic of the Soviet military presence in Crimea. Despite its strategic location, there is no clear public evidence of it being reactivated or repurposed by the Russian military following the 2014 annexation of Crimea.

Pochetnoye was a significant Soviet Naval Aviation airbase operated by the Black Sea Fleet. It was primarily known for housing units engaged in anti-submarine warfare (ASW). The airfield is most notably associated with the 318th Independent Anti-Submarine Aviation Regiment, which operated the Beriev Be-12 'Chaika' (NATO reporting name: 'Mail') amphibious aircraft. These planes were vital for maritime patrol, reconnaissance, and countering enemy submarines in the Black Sea during the Cold War. The base's strategic location in northern Crimea allowed for rapid response and control over a large portion of the sea.

There are no known official plans or realistic prospects for reopening Pochetnoye Airfield. The cost to clear the site, rebuild the runway, and install modern aviation infrastructure would be prohibitive. It is not considered a priority for either civilian or military development. While abandoned airfields in conflict zones can sometimes be used as temporary forward operating bases or staging areas, the derelict condition of Pochetnoye's runway makes it unsuitable for most fixed-wing aircraft without extensive repairs. Therefore, its reopening as a functional airport is highly improbable.