Russia Bases A-50U Aircraft at Civilian Airports

Russia is using civilian airports within the territory of its Central Military District to host its fleet of A-50U airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. To reduce the risk of being targeted, the aircraft frequently change their locations.

Analysts from the AviVector group reported on this following an analysis of satellite imagery.

As of June 4, the main concentration of A-50U aircraft was observed at Ivanovo Severny Air Base in Russia’s Ivanovo Region, approximately 700 kilometers (435 miles) from the Ukrainian border, where eight A-50 aircraft were identified. Another aircraft was spotted at Vorkuta Sovetsky Air Base in the Komi Republic, roughly 2,300–2,400 kilometers (1,430–1,490 miles) from Ukraine.

Three additional aircraft were detected at civilian airports: Begishevo Airport in the Republic of Tatarstan, Chelyabinsk Airport, and Nizhnevartovsk Airport in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area.

According to analysts, the A-50U aircraft currently at Chelyabinsk Airport arrived there recently, between June 1 and June 2, 2026. Previously, in March, two A-50U aircraft were stationed at the airport.

In late May 2026, a statement purportedly signed by Yevgeny Chudnovsky, CEO of Airports of Regions, Russia’s largest airport holding company, was published on the company’s website and addressed to Vladimir Putin. The statement complained about the deployment of military equipment at civilian airports.

The document alleged that Russian security and military agencies were effectively commandeering civilian infrastructure and deploying military equipment, combat aircraft, and ammunition on the grounds of civilian airports.

The author of the letter also described a “climate of fear” and alleged systematic pressure on airport employees, who were reportedly being forced to carry out tasks beyond the scope of their professional duties.