Espreso. Global

Russia uses Luhansk airport as base for Ka-52 and Mi-28 helicopters 

8 August, 2023 Tuesday
21:29

The airfield has not been operational since 2014, however the occupying Russian forces are expanding the network of infrastructure used by their aviation

client/title.list_title

Satellite imagery from Planet Labs as of 19 July 2023 shows that the invading Russian forces have begun to use the airport in the temporarily occupied Luhansk, which has not been operational since 2014, as one of the bases for their army aircraft, Defense Express reports.

At that time, a total of 15 Russian army helicopters were stationed at the airport, including five Ka-52s, three Mi-28s and eight Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopters, and usually there are 12 to 16 Russian helicopters, as well as Mi-24s, writes OSINT analyst Tatarigami_UA in his publication.

The analyst emphasises that the Russian military has only recently started using the airport in the temporarily occupied Luhansk as a base for its attack and assault helicopters.

This airport was chosen because it is located 100 kilometres from the front line, which means it is out of range of long-range systems such as M142 HIMARS and M270. At the same time, such a relatively short distance allows the Russian helicopters to reach the front line in up to 30 minutes.

Tatarigami_UA claims that the Russian forces have organised a fairly powerful object-based air defence system around Luhansk airport, which is not "invincible".

Accordingly, if the Russian army helicopter landing sites at this airport are attacked, the Russians will be forced to move their army aircraft even further away from the front line, which will increase the flying time for the occupiers.

In June 2023, the Russian army began using the airport in the temporarily occupied Berdyansk as a base for its helicopters. At the same time, as satellite images showed, the Russian forces continued to use Berdyansk airport as a base for their Ka-52 and other helicopters in July, despite repeated explosions at the Russian military facilities.

This also raised the question of what type of missile would help destroy this airfield with Ka-52s that hindered the counter-offensive of the Armed Forces, ATACMS or GLSD. 

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Wednesday
12 February
09:36
Russia loses 1,150 soldiers and over 200 units of equipment in day of war in Ukraine
2025, Tuesday
11 February
21:15
Exclusive
Corruption in Ukraine’s MoD is only one of problems, says member of Public Anti-Corruption Council
20:45
U.S. will not send troops to Ukraine – Pentagon chief Hegseth
20:22
Exclusive
Trump signals end to free support, lend-lease considered — Defense Express
20:01
"Do you want a civil war?" How Russia tailors propaganda for every Ukrainian
19:40
Interview
“We face a monster with vast resources”: Ukrainian historian on fight against Russian cultural colonization
19:20
Exclusive
Ukraine lacks resources to halt Russian advance efforts in Kupiansk direction
18:55
Exclusive
Political expert: No signs of peace plan being paused
18:36
Tucker Carlson spreads fake that Kyiv sells U.S. weapons to Mexico — Ukraine responds
18:14
Four children rescued from Russian-occupied territories and returned to Ukraine
17:55
Secretary Rubio: U.S. aims to foster peace in Ukraine, Middle East
17:36
Japan grants $58 million to Ukraine for reconstruction
17:14
U.S. President to impose tariffs on Ukrainian steel: Kyiv seeks solutions
16:55
OPINION
Putin must realize that military victory is impossible to achieve peace in Ukraine
16:35
Exclusive
EU's plan to seize Russia’s shadow tankers: Global fight for environmental security – Lakiichuk
16:15
U.S. Congress proposes reviving Lend-Lease program for Ukraine
15:55
Russia removed all limits on violence against Ukrainian POWs since war's early weeks
15:33
U.S. to push EU to buy more American weapons for Ukraine
15:14
Drones now leading cause of civilian deaths in Ukraine war — UN
14:53
Does Ukraine’s "Sivalka VM8" stand a chance against Russia’s TOS-1 Solntsepyok?
14:34
Exclusive
Ukraine's strikes on oil depots, airports threaten Russian bombers: military expert on Saratov attacks
14:15
Russia forces toddlers in occupied Kherson region to support military
14:10
Updated
Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff's plane allegedly in Moscow, Kremlin has "nothing to say"
13:55
Ukrainian forces retake positions in Pishchane, Russia advances near 7 settlements
13:34
Exclusive
Slowly but surely pushing Russian troops toward border north of Kharkiv — Ukraine’s Khartia brigade
13:16
North Korea sends 200 long-range artillery pieces to Russia, Seoul says
12:57
Ukrainian forces confirm hit on oil refinery in Russia's Saratov region
12:20
North Korea threatens citizens for “spreading rumors” about soldier casualties in Russia-Ukraine war
11:56
Review
Ukrainian Atlas project aims to shield 1,300 km of frontline from Russian drone attacks. Serhiy Zgurets’ column
11:37
Trump says Ukraine "essentially agreed" to give U.S. access to its $500 billion in minerals
11:17
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, January 29 – February 5
Russian troops are getting closer to Kostiantynivka, targeting Ukraine's defensive rear
10:39
Ukraine reports 139 combat clashes on frontline, Russia actively storms Pokrovsk direction
10:17
OPINION
Trump and Putin's secret talks: no concrete agreements exist
09:51
Russia loses 1,390 soldiers, 44 artillery systems and air defense system in day of war in Ukraine
09:36
Trump announces meeting with Zelenskyy, confirms Kellogg's upcoming visit to Ukraine
2025, Monday
10 February
21:30
Exclusive
Ukrainian major: Kellogg supports us more than other Trump associates
21:10
Russian forces struggle with equipment shortages despite infantry strength – 3rd Assault Brigade
20:50
Representatives of Trump's team to visit Ukraine this week - Zelenskyy
20:30
Exclusive
Ukraine has record low natural gas reserves - energy expert Omelchenko
20:05
Russian army hits high-rise building with artillery in central Kherson
More news