"Armored", "Torah", Angari: The Russian Federation has processed Kerch Airport for UAV Start, - "Schemes" (Photo)

Photos showed how the terrain changed and how the Russian Federation built fortifications and hangars, the investigation of the "Media" Scheme "Radio Liberty". Investigators studied the satellite photos of the Kerch airfield, taken from December 14, 2024 to June 5, 2025. They noticed how the Russians built something from a month to month. Gradually four new objects appeared: fortifications, masking, hangars, covered sites.

The scheme indicates that it is a renewal of air defense positions (rectangular platform on the left), new fortifications (center, vertical line), new hangars in which UAVs can take place (two light spots in the center near the road), another hangar with an area of ​​9 by 13 m (spot below). Avayexpert Anatoly Khrapchynsky explained to reporters that Kerch airfield was probably turned into a base for assembly and launch of drones.

At the same time he paid attention to the site 9 by 12 meters with masking structures. According to the air expert, there may well be fitted with air defense products of the SCR "shell-C1" and "Thor-M2". In addition, there may be a UAV for blows in Ukraine, to hide another technique. Another interesting point is the platform on the left, surrounded by a "characteristic embankment": it is suitable for air defense.

Meanwhile, the runway was not processed, but its length is enough to start drones, he said. "In the satellite image, a site with a characteristic embankment is noticeable - this is a probable place to accommodate air defense," Khrapchynsky said "Schemes". According to the air expert, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation requires new places for UAV.

Thanks to the new point in the Crimea, Russians are dispersing groups that program and prepare shock drones, and thus will be able to strengthen strokes in Ukraine. "The logic is to distribute and prepare several groups that program and start these UAVs. Exclusively for increasing [firing] opportunities," the air expert explained. Journalists published a document that confirmed that the civilian airport became a military facility.

"Schemes", as well as the Delfi project from Lithuania, found information in the State Register of Property. The registry stated that the airport switched to the balance of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. Kerch airfield is located northeast of Kerch on the occupied Crimean peninsula. The area is about 320 ha. 8 km - the illegally built Crimean bridge, which Russians try to protect from the strikes of Ukrainian weapons.

To the northwest - a military airfield near the village of Balaire. The Kerch airfield has not worked since 2008 and has a destroyed runway. The distance to the territory controlled by Ukraine is about 260 km (straight). It should be noted that on May 2, the fighters of the GUR MOU "Ghore" showed footage of destruction of air defense facilities in the occupied Crimea. In the video-hit on KAMAZ and two radar stations (ST-68 and Casta-2E2).