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Satellite Images Expose Russia’s Largest Shahed Drone Base Built to Strike Ukraine

Nov 11, 2025 12:31 Updated Nov 11, 2025 13:23

3 min read

Authors: Ivan Khomenko
News Writer

Satellite image shows Russia’s largest Shahed drone launch complex near Tsymbulova, Oryol region, captured on November 8, 2025. The layout includes garages (red) for UAV storage, hangars (blue) for maintenance, and a 2.5‑kilometer launch road (green) used for mass take‑offs. (Source: Strategic Aviation of Russia and SZ)

High-resolution satellite imagery has revealed what appears to be Russia’s largest launch and storage complex for Iranian-designed Shahed attack drones near the village of Tsymbulova in the Oryol region, approximately 400 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

According to the OSINT communities Strategic Aviation of Russia and SZ, the site spans more than five square kilometers and includes at least 93 garages and 15 large hangars, some already filled with drones.

The imagery, dated November 8, 2025, also shows eight fixed launch platforms and 20 additional garages likely used for maintenance and pre-launch preparation.

High-res satellite image shows dense layout of garages and hangars for Shahed drones along a 2.5 km road at Russia’s Tsymbulova launch site. (Source: Strategic Aviation of Russia and SZ)

A section of the Tsymbulova site with 8 static launch pads and 20 nearby garages used to prep Shahed drones for strikes. (Source: Strategic Aviation of Russia and SZ)

Analysts estimate the facility can host over 500 drones simultaneously, including at least 175 stored in visible shelters. The layout features a 2.5-kilometer launch road, which enables large-scale drone deployments from mobile platforms.

Satellite images also captured air-defense positions protecting the complex, indicating its strategic significance for Russian long-range drone operations. The site’s deep location within Russian territory allows drone launches toward Ukraine while minimizing the risk of counterstrikes.

Close-up reveals ~15 garages for storing Shahed drones and at least 4 vehicles used for mobile launches. Inset shows typical launch trucks. (Source: Strategic Aviation of Russia and SZ)

Air-defense system identified near the Tsymbulova drone complex, likely deployed to protect the site from Ukrainian strikes. (Source: Strategic Aviation of Russia and SZ)

Satellite records indicate that construction of the Tsymbulova complex began in late August 2024 and was completed within several months, reflecting Russia’s ongoing effort to expand its domestic launch and logistics infrastructure for Shahed-series drones supplied by Iran.

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukrainian forces previously targeted the same area on January 26, 2025, striking drone storage depots in the Oryol region. The attack reportedly hit reinforced concrete buildings used to house and service Shahed-type UAVs, which carry thermobaric warheads.

Earlier, on November 5, 2025, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces conducted a high-precision strike on a major Shahed drone depot at the occupied Donetsk airport, destroying up to 1,000 drones, fuel and munitions storage, and UAV control infrastructure, according to an official statement.

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