Lipetsk Air Base

Lipetsk Air Base, also known as Lipetsk-2, is located 12 km northwest of Lipetsk in Lipetsk Oblast, Russia. It serves as the chief combat training center for the Russian Aerospace Forces. The base was built in 1960 and has been in continuous use since then. It is operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces under the ownership of the Ministry of Defence. The base comprises two medium-sized airfields.

Historically, from 1925 to 1933, the Soviet government permitted Weimar Republic Germany to operate an air combat school at Lipetsk, known as the Lipetsk fighter-pilot school. This arrangement allowed Germany to circumvent treaty restrictions on military aviation development, while the Soviet Air Forces gained technical advice and access to test results. The school was closed in 1933.

Since the 1960s, the primary unit stationed at Lipetsk has been the 4th State Centre for Aircrew Training and Field Tests (4th GTsPAPVI), formerly known as the 4th Centre for Combat Application and Crew Training, which functions as Russia's combat training school. Components of the 4th Centre include the 968th Instructor-Research Aviation Regiment (968th IISAP) and the 237th Air Force Display Centre of the Russian Air Force, which includes the Russian Falcons aerobatic team. From the 1960s to 1990, other units present included the 760th Composite Training and Research Aviation Regiment, flying various aircraft such as Mikoyan MiG-29, Sukhoi Su-17, Sukhoi Su-25, Sukhoi Su-24, Sukhoi Su-27, and Mi-8. The 91st Training and Research Regiment also operated Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23, Mikoyan MiG-29, and Sukhoi Su-27 aircraft. In 1992, the 968th Fighter Aviation Regiment relocated to Lipetsk from Falkenberg, East Germany, and evolved into a Research-Instructor Mixed Aviation Regiment, operating MiG-23s, MiG-29s, and later Su-24M aircraft.

The air base has been targeted during the Russo-Ukrainian War. On August 8, 2024, a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack caused explosions and fires, reportedly hitting a warehouse containing guided aerial bombs and other facilities. On October 20, 2024, the air base was again attacked by Ukrainian drones, with officials stating the attack aimed at fuel, equipment, and ammunition storage.