Russia has nearly completed a base for launching attack drones in Rostov Oblast in six weeks

2026-10-16

Satellite imagery shows that construction of the complex, covering about 0.9 km², began on September 1; by October 14, eight drone launch pads had been set up there.
The base, located about 3.5 km from Millerovo Air Base, could be used to launch Geran-4 and Geran-5 jet-powered drones.
Launch rails have already been installed at two of the eight pads, and were being fitted at two others; DroneSec estimates that the complex could become fully operational within a few weeks or sooner.
According to DroneSec’s founder, the base could potentially launch 100 or more jet-powered drones per day, although actual capacity will depend on supplies and military requirements.
DroneSec believes that the neighboring air base could protect the new facility with air defense systems; it would add at least 11 permanent launch sites for attacks on Ukraine to Russia’s network.