A while ago, I started publishing info on the new organizational structure of the Russian military. I got through the ground forces and the paratroops before getting distracted by other projects. I had always meant to go back and do the air force, but never found the time. Also, I know less about the air force than about the rest of the Russian military, so it was trickier. Thus, I was quite happy to see that someone else has put together such a list. It’s published in the new, and quite excellent report (in Russian) entitled “Russia’s New Army” put out by the CAST center in Moscow. Since I see my one of my primary roles as transmitting analytical information that is published in Russian about the Russian military to a non-Russian speaking audience, in the coming weeks, I’ll be mining this report for information on military building and reform plans. But first, the list of Russian air force bases and locations:
Operational Strategic Command for Air-Space Defense (Moscow)
- 4th air-space defense brigade (Dolgoprudnyi, Moscow Oblast)
- 5th air-space defense brigade (Petrovskoe, Moscow Oblast)
- 6th air-space defense brigade (Rzhev, Tver Oblast)
- 6963rd aviation base (Kursk) (Mig-29SMT)
- 6968th fighter aviation base (Khotilivo, Tver Oblast) (Su-27, Mig-31)
First Air Force and Air Defense Command (Voronezh) (Western OSK)
- 1st air-space defense brigade (Severomorsk)
- 2nd air-space defense brigade (St. Petersburg)
- 6961st aviation base (Petrozavodsk) (Su-27)
- 6964th aviation base (Monchegorsk, Murmansk Oblast) (Su-24M, Su-24MP)
- 6965th aviation base (Viaz’ma, Smolensk Oblast) (Mi-8, Mi-24)
- 7000th aviation base (Voronezh) (Su-24M, Su-24MP, Su-34)
Second Air Force and Air Defense Command (Ekaterinburg) (Central OSK)
- 8th air-space defense brigade (Ekaterinburg)
- 9th air-space defense brigade (Novosibirsk)
- 10th air-space defense brigade (Chita)
- 6977th aviation base (Perm) (Mig-31)
- 6979th aviation base (Kansk, Krasnoyarskii Krai) (Mig-31)
- 6980th aviation base (Cheliabinsk) (Su-24M)
- 6982nd aviation base (Domna, Zabaikalskii Krai) (Mig-29)
Third Air Force and Air Defense Command (Khabarovsk) (Eastern OSK)
- 11th air-space defense brigade (Komsomolsk-na-Amure)
- 12th air-space defense brigade (Vladivostok)
- 6983rd aviation base (Vozdvizhenka, Primorskii Krai) (Su-25, Mi-8, Mi-24)
- 6987th aviation base (Komsomolsk-na-Amure) (Su-27SM)
- 6988th aviation base (Khurba, Khabarovsk Krai) (Su-24M, Su-24M2, Su-24MR)
- 6989th aviation base (Vladivostok) (Su-27SM)
- 265th transport aviation base (Khabarovsk)
Fourth Air Force and Air Defense Command (Rostov-na-Donu) (Southern OSK)
- 7th air-space defense brigade (Rostov-na-Donu)
- 8th air-space defense brigade (Ekaterinburg)
- 6970th aviation base (Morozovsk, Rostov Oblast) (Su-24M)
- 6971st aviation base (Budennovsk, Stavropol Krai) (Su-25SM, Mi-8, Mi-24, Mi-28)
- 6972nd aviation base (Krymsk, Krasnodar Krai) (Su-27, Mi-8, Mi-24, Mi-28, Ka-27)
- 6974th aviation base (Korenovsk, Krasnodar Krai) (Mi-8, Mi-24, Mi-28)
- 999th aviation base (Kant, Kyrgyzstan) (Su-25, Su-27, Mi-8)
- 229th transport aviation base (Rostov-na-Donu)
Military Transport Aviation Command (Moscow)
- 6955th aviation base (Tver) (Il-76)
- 6956th aviation base (Orenburg) (Il-76)
- 6958th aviation base (Taganrog, Rostov Oblast) (Il-76)
- 6985th aviation base (Pskov) (Il-76)
Long Range Aviation Command (Moscow)
- 6950th aviation base (Engels, Saratov Oblast) (Tu-22M3, Tu-95MS, Tu-160)
- 6952nd aviation base (Ukrainka, Amur Oblast) (Tu-95MS)
- 6953rd aviation base (Srednii, Irkutsk Oblast) (Tu-22M3)
This list was accurate as of the fall of 2010, according to Anton Lavrov’s chapter in the CAST volume. I’ve made only one change, which is to move the 6977th aviation base from the 4th to the 2nd air command, because it’s location places it in the Central OSK rather than the Southern OSK. Other sources (warfare.ru, for example) support this change. However, reports indicate that there have been a number of further organizational changes in the structure of the Russian Air Force since December 2010, including most importantly the shift of army aviation air bases to the direct control of the operational strategic commands. This implies some changes to the structure described above. So, treat the list above as a starting point, not necessarily as the final word on the current air force structure. If anyone has information on changes to the list, please note them in the comments or email them to me. I’ll try to update the list as I get additional information.
Update: A reader noted that the 8th air-space defense brigade should also be in the Central OSK, rather than the Southern OSK.
Russian Military Reform 
I don’t see any mention of the Russian AF AN-124 base somewhere in western Russia, with approximately 25 AN-124s (ca. 10-12 active).
Best regards,
Heinz Rentmeister
Hi. I appreciate your effort here Dimitry.
But this list is somewhat incomplete. The four digit AB designation often contain two, and perhaps three different AB location in the same command designation.
Let me give you an exsample;
6963rd aviation base (Kursk) (Mig-29SMT), this is not entirely correct.
The two SMT Sq are placed at Millerovo AB.
while Krymsk AB houses 2-3 Sq of Su-27SM/SM3 and Su-30M2 in its inventory.
These two AB are under the same designation; 6963rd Aviation Base Command.
Its the same deal with several other AB command.
Cheers.
You make a good point. This was an effort to try to get the information that was available at an early stage out. I should update it at some point.
Sorry, my mistake.
I meant Krymsk AB, not Kursk AB.
Both Krymsk and Millerovo(Mig-29 in the same air group: 6972nd aviation base.
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First deployments of the KA-52 ‘Allligator’ are reported to be taking place in the Southern MD. Which do think more likely as a home (with other AH’s); 6972 AB or 6974 AB?
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