Satellite Imagery Reveals Rapid Construction of Major Russian Drone Launch Base
New satellite imagery confirms Russia constructed a major drone attack base in just six weeks, signaling a shift toward deep-strike capabilities.
POLICY WIRE — London, United Kingdom — Satellite imagery has unveiled the rapid development of a significant new Russian military facility designed to launch jet-powered drones against Ukraine. The base was constructed from the ground up in a span of only six weeks.
The site features specialized infrastructure, including four launchers dedicated to Geran-3 drones and three launchers for the more common Geran-2, which is the Russian designation for Shahed-type munitions. Analysis of the imagery by Strategic Aviation identified at least 37 Geran-5 and eight Geran-4 jet-powered drones at the location, in addition to 56 Geran-2 attack UAVs.
Rob Jordan, a programme director at the London-based RUSI think-tank, noted that the concrete pads and two potential takeoff rails visible in the photos align with launch tracks for Russian Geran drones. According to Jordan, this development demonstrates the significant reliance Russia is placing on its deep-strike capabilities, potentially at the expense of its conventional land forces.
This facility is part of a broader trend of expanding one-way attack drone operations across Russia. Recent reports and imagery indicate that the Kremlin has established ten bases equipped with newly constructed launch pads capable of deploying its most advanced long-range suicide drones.
In a separate development, satellite photos captured by the U.S. spatial intelligence firm Vantor and analyzed by B-17 show damage to a different Russian drone base at the Donetsk airport. That facility, which had been converted for drone operations, sustained destruction to several buildings following a massive Ukrainian attack last week.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
