Akhtubinsk Air Base

Akhtubinsk is a military base located in Akhtubinsk, Astrakhan Oblast, Russia. It is owned by the Ministry of Defence and operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces. The aerodrome has been in use for testing since 1948. In 1960, the State Red Banner GK Scientific Research Institute VVS was moved to the base, establishing its 1st (fighters and fighter-bombers), 2nd (bombers), 5th (radio range), 9th (route measuring complex), and 10th (nuclear test) Scientific-Experimental Departments. The institute received its current name, 929th State Flight Test Centre named for V. P. Chkalov, in 1990. The base has a history of test pilot incidents, including crashes in 1948, 1949, and 1963. Recent satellite imagery from 2022 and 2023 has shown Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B drones and Sukhoi Su-57 combat jets on the ramp. During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the base was targeted by Ukrainian drones on June 9, 2024, resulting in damage to at least one Su-57 fighter jet. A decoy Su-57 was also painted on the airport apron prior to this strike.