Ovruch Air Base

The closure was a direct consequence of the dissolution of the Soviet Union and subsequent geopolitical shifts. The primary reasons were:
1. **Military Realignment:** After the USSR's collapse in 1991, the base and its nuclear-capable strategic bombers were transferred to the newly independent Ukrainian Air Force.
2. **Disarmament Treaties:** Under international pressure and agreements, particularly the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction program, Ukraine committed to becoming a non-nuclear state. This involved the elimination of its strategic nuclear delivery systems, including the Tu-22M bomber fleet stationed at Ovruch.
3. **Economic Factors:** Maintaining a fleet of complex and expensive strategic bombers was an unsustainable economic burden for the newly formed Ukrainian state.

The air base is completely abandoned and in a state of ruin. Satellite imagery confirms that the main runway, extensive taxiways, and dozens of hardened aircraft revetments are derelict. Large sections of the concrete slabs from the runway and taxiways have been systematically removed or have crumbled from neglect. The entire airfield is overgrown with trees and vegetation. The associated military garrison town (horodok) may have some remaining residents, but the aviation infrastructure itself is non-functional and has been scavenged for materials over the decades. There is no aviation activity at the site.

Ovruch Air Base was a key strategic military installation during the Cold War, serving as a forward operating base for the Soviet Union's Long-Range Aviation (Дальняя авиация).

- **Primary Unit:** It was the home of the 251st Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment (251 GvTBAP). This regiment was part of various larger formations over the years, including the 15th Guards and later the 209th Heavy Bomber Aviation Divisions.

- **Aircraft Operated:** The regiment initially flew the Tupolev Tu-16 'Badger' subsonic bomber. In the early 1980s, it was re-equipped with the far more advanced and powerful supersonic Tupolev Tu-22M2 'Backfire-B', and later upgraded to the Tu-22M3 'Backfire-C'.

- **Strategic Role:** As a 'Backfire' base, Ovruch was a critical component of the Soviet Union's nuclear deterrent. Its bombers were capable of carrying nuclear-armed cruise missiles (like the Kh-22) and were tasked with striking high-value targets across Western Europe, the North Atlantic, and maritime targets such as NATO aircraft carrier groups.

- **Chernobyl Disaster:** Due to its relative proximity, crews and helicopters from the Ovruch garrison were involved in the immediate response to the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, flying dangerous missions to drop sand, lead, and boron onto the exposed reactor core.

There are no known or credible plans to reopen or reactivate Ovruch Air Base. The level of degradation is so severe that it would require a complete reconstruction of the runway, taxiways, and all support infrastructure, an effort that would cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Given its proximity to the Belarusian border and its current state of disrepair, its reactivation for either military or civilian purposes is considered highly improbable.