Vil'nyanka Airfield

Systemic collapse and economic reasons. The airfield was primarily operated by the Soviet paramilitary sports organization DOSAAF (Voluntary Society for Assistance to the Army, Air Force, and Navy). Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, state funding for the DOSAAF system was eliminated. Without financial support, the organization could no longer maintain and operate its vast network of small airfields, leading to the abandonment of Vil'nyanka and many others like it across the former USSR.

The airfield is completely abandoned and in a state of decay. Satellite imagery confirms that the paved runway is severely degraded, with numerous cracks, potholes, and significant vegetation overgrowth. The taxiways and apron areas are similarly deteriorated. The few support buildings on the site appear to be derelict or in ruins. The site is not used for any form of aviation. Since the 2022 full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the airfield is located in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, a region of intense military conflict, making the site inaccessible and potentially located within or near a combat zone.

Vil'nyanka Airfield was a typical DOSAAF training base. Its primary function was to provide initial flight and parachute training to civilians, particularly youth, as part of a pre-conscription military preparation program. Operations included basic flight instruction, likely on aircraft such as the Yakovlev Yak-52, and parachute jumps, often from the Antonov An-2. It served as a local center for aerosports and was an integral part of the Soviet system for creating a reserve of trained pilots and paratroopers.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the airfield. The prospect is virtually zero for several reasons: 1) The infrastructure is beyond repair and would require a complete and costly reconstruction. 2) The site is located in an active warzone, making any civilian development impossible. 3) Even in a post-war scenario, the economic justification for rebuilding a small, local-use airfield in this location is extremely low, as there is no significant demand for such a facility.