Soltsy-2[citation needed][a] (Russian: Сольцы; ICAO: XLLL) is an air base in Novgorod Oblast, Russia located 2 km north of Soltsy and 72 km southwest of Novgorod. It contains large aircraft revetments, with a separate compound of 9 hardened areas about 1 mile from the airfield.[1]
The 840th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment (840 TBAP) flew Tupolev Tu-22 aircraft from November 1951 through to 2010.[4] The regiment was disbanded in 2010 following the changes initiated by the Russian military reforms from 2008.[5]
Airfield is properly maintained for occasional training of Russian Aerospace Forces and to service governmental flights in Novgorod region.[6][7]
On 19 August 2023 at about 10:00 am local time, the airbase was attacked by drones, which Russia claimed to be launched from Ukraine, 620km away.[8] A Tupolev Tu-22M long-range bomber, was reported damaged.[9][10][11][12]
Satellite pictures taken on 10 August showed Tu-22M3 dispersed in revetments either side of the runway. Pictures taken on 19 August showed all aircraft had been evacuated and the burnt out remains of one Tu-22M3.[13]
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