Russia is expanding the drone base in Tsymbulov; drones are being launched from there toward Kyiv
Russia continues to expand the “Tsymbulova” drone base in the Oryol Region, from which a significant portion of the jet-powered drones targeting Kyiv are launched. Over the past four weeks, construction work has been underway at the site, including the construction of new shelters, garages, and launchers.
To the southeast of the existing launchers, a new site has been set up with eight dome-shaped shelters for jet-powered UAVs and a new launcher.
In addition, paved areas have already been prepared there for eight more shelters and two launchers.
The expansion of the “Tsymbulova” drone base is not limited to new launch positions. Russia is also strengthening the protection of its drones and increasing the number of facilities for their storage.
In early September, construction of six garages for attack drones was still underway at the site. According to monitoring data, they have now been completed.
In addition, 14 new garages have appeared along the access road.
Some of the above-ground shelters at the drone port have also been converted into underground ones. According to the monitoring team’s assessment, this should make them harder to destroy. A direct hit by a drone could damage the structure, but it would likely take significantly more hits to completely destroy it.
Meanwhile, a soccer field has been set up on the site of one of the structures that was previously used to store drones.
Satellite images also captured construction activity near existing launch pads for the “Geran-5.” Sites for six additional launch pads have been prepared there.
Next to them, the Russians are building new towers. The authors of the monitoring report speculate that these may be used to install anti-drone nets and provide communications.
The increase in the number of launchers is already reflected in the pattern of Russian attacks on Kyiv. According to “Strategic Aviation,” the share of “Geran-5” drones among all drones launched at the capital currently stands at about 75%.
By comparison, a month ago this figure was about 10%.
“We would like to note that the results of deploying a larger number of launchers are already noticeable: the proportion of ‘Geran-5’ drones among all UAVs launched at Kyiv is currently about 75% (a month ago it was about 10%),” the statement reads.
According to experts, construction work on the “Tsimbulov” site will continue.
In the northeastern part of the facility, satellite images showed construction equipment on previously unused land. The authors of the monitoring report speculate that new storage facilities may be under construction there.
As the number of storage facilities increases, the Russians are leaving fewer and fewer drones out in the open.
While nearly 100 UAVs were in open areas at the end of the summer, their number now barely reaches ten, according to the monitoring data.
Thus, Russia is simultaneously increasing the number of launchers, building new shelters and storage facilities, and dispersing its drones. According to the monitoring team’s assessment, these measures are intended to make it more difficult to strike the “Cymbulova” drone base and to protect Russian drones from potential attacks.
This was reported by the “Strategic Aviation” channel on Telegram.
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