Construction of fortified shelters underway at key Northern Fleet air base
New satellite imagery from late August shows Russia’s Northern Fleet in the final phase of completing 13 protective fighter-jet shelters at Severomorsk-3 air base, east of Murmansk.
The start of construction work could be seen in satellite imagery from July 2025. A year later, multiple hangars along the paved tarmac section next to the runway appear ready to provide cover for aircraft belonging to the Northern Fleet’s fighter aviation regiments.
Severomorsk-3 was the principal operating location for the Northern Fleet’s two shipborne fighter regiments, equipped with MiG-29K/KUBR and Su-33 fighters. However, with Russia’s sole aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, effectively destined for the scrapyard, the aircraft now maintain land-based readiness and conduct forward-based Arctic operations from air bases such as Rogachevo on Novaya Zemlya.
Prior to 2026, Severomorsk-3, had no hangars or other roof-covered shelters.
The hangars, supported by metal frames and covered in concrete, measure approximately 20 meters wide and 30 meters long. Their dimensions are sufficient to accommodate both the Su-33 and MiG-29K fighters.the shelters primarily as an effort to improve the survivability and readiness of the Northern Fleet's naval fighter force
The construction of the protective hangars is primarily aimed at improving the survivability and readiness of the Northern Fleet’s naval fighter force. It is not known whether protection against drone attacks is also a consideration, as has been seen at Russian air bases such as Marinovka in the Volgograd region, located only about 300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
The hangars will also protect the aircraft from the harsh winter weather on the Kola Peninsula. At the same time, enclosing the aircraft will make it more difficult for satellites to monitor the number and type of aircraft present at the base.
Interestingly, satellite imagery from both 2025 and 2026 shows only two Su-33s and one Su-25 at Severomorsk-3. The remaining aircraft are likely operating from other air bases, potentially at locations closer to Russia’s war zone in Ukraine. Prior to 2023, around a dozen such aircraft were regularly visible at Severomorsk-3.
The only other air base in the Murmansk region with protective hangars is Monchegorsk, a key Northern Fleet fighter and mixed-aviation base that is home to MiG-31 interceptors and Su-24 strike and reconnaissance aircraft.
The two largest air bases on the Kola Peninsula, Olenya and Severomorsk-1, have no protective hangars. As of August 2026, there are also no visible signs of construction of such shelters at either base.
