Russia turns Donetsk airport into drone launch pad

According to ISW, placing launch pads for the Shahed closer to the front line will reduce the response time of Ukrainian air defenses.

According to analysts, further Russian territorial takeovers will pose an increasing threat to both Ukraine and NATO member states.

On the eve of the OSINT group CyberBoroshno presented satellite images of the airport in the north of occupied Donetsk from July 2025. The images show that the invaders have partially cleared the runway of the Donetsk airport of fortifications and have begun construction work on the parking lot.

Satellite images suggest that the Russians are building closed storage facilities near the destroyed airport terminal. They may also be preparing drone control points, warhead unloading areas, airspace surveillance points, and a runway.

It is likely that the infrastructure at the airport is being prepared for the launch of Shahed-type strike drones, Gerber-type simulator drones, and possibly Geran-3 jet drones.

Russian forces are launching long-range strike UAVs from occupied Ukrainian territory, and their continued use for such strikes will pose an increasing threat to Ukraine and NATO member states if Russia continues to occupy Ukrainian territory.