Russia Expands Shahed Drone Sites in Smolensk and Rostov Regions

According to satellite imagery from January 3, Russia is actively expanding a launch site for Shahed attack drones at Shatalovo Airfield in the Smolensk region.

The site includes four fixed launch platforms and four specialized launch vehicles positioned at prepared areas, according to the Telegram channel Strategic Aviation of the Russian Federation.

The infrastructure at Shatalovo allows for the simultaneous launch of at least 22 Shahed-type drones. Given the reload speed and the number of prepared launch positions, Russia could deploy hundreds of drones in a single attack from this location alone.

Additionally, due to the airfield’s relative proximity to the border, the invaders have deployed an air defense battery there to protect the launch site from potential Ukrainian attacks.

As of now, the expansion of Shahed launch positions has been documented at at least six sites. In addition to Shatalovo, these include Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Navlya, Tsymbulova, Millerovo, and occupied Donetsk.

Shahed Launch Site in the Rostov Region

Particular attention is drawn to Millerovo Airfield in the Rostov region, where the construction of specialized garages for the storage and maintenance of attack UAVs has been recorded for the first time. In addition to four stationary launch platforms, satellite imagery revealed a system of hangars of varying capacities, ranging from large garages capable of housing up to 12 drones to smaller sections.

Currently, the combined capacity of the completed garages at Millerovo allows for the storage of 96 attack drones. Construction is underway on four additional hangars, which will increase total storage capacity to up to 126 unmanned aerial vehicles once complete.