Starokostiantyniv AB
49°44'32.39"N 27°16'14.40"E / 49.742330364 27.270665584
The Russian military continued to prioritize this base, possibly believing it will be a key location for F-16 operations. Unlike Ukrainian Soviet-origin fighters, F-16s cannot operate from makeshift or substandard airfields, which limits the number of suitable deployment facilities. The initial batch of F-16s arrived in Ukraine on August 1, with the first reported loss occurring on August 26, confirmed three days afterward.
On 07 October 2024 a Russian missile attack struck near a major Ukrainian military airfield, officials from Ukraine said, part of a broad campaign of assaults by Moscow aimed at degrading Ukraine's military infrastructure and wearing down its air defenses. From the evening of 6 October 2024 to 8.30 a.m. on 7 October, Russia struck Ukraine with an "Iskander-M" ballistic missile, an Kh-59 guided missile, an unspecified type of missile from Kursk and Belgorod regions, and attack UAVs (launch areas: Orel, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Kursk, Yeysk - Russia). It is also noted that at around 08.20, Russia struck with three Kh-47M2 "Kinzhal" aeroballistic missiles from three MiG-31K aircraft from the airspace of the Tambov region. One of the three "Kinzhals" hit near the Starokostiantyniv airfield in Khmelnytskyi region. In a rare acknowledgment that a military base had been hit, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that a Kinzhal hypersonic missile hit near the Starokostiantyniv air base in western Ukraine.
Reports from Russian media, including Vzglyad, claim that at least two Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets were ambushed while attempting to take off from Starokostiantyniv airport in western Ukraine. Allegedly, this attack was executed by a Russian Mikoyan MiG-31 supersonic interceptor. These reports, dated 26 September 2024r, concern the recent Russian assault on the airport in western Ukraine. Most Russian media reference the Voenno Delo [Military Business] Telegram channel, which is a Russian source. This account offers no additional details on the strike. It stated, “At the Starokostiantyniv airport, two F-16 fighters donated by the Netherlands were hit with a delay while trying to take off. There were also Su-24s at the airbase. The strike was carried out by an air ambush of four MiG-31Ks of the Russian Air Force with a hypersonic complex Kinzhal [Dagger].”
In another unconfirmed report by Military Watch Magazine, it is claimed that an airbase attack in Ukraine resulted in the destruction of four newly delivered F-16 fighter jets. This was supplemented by Russian sources stating that Kinzhal ballistic missiles targeted an airfield in Starokonstantinov, western Ukraine. On September 21, Russian forces coordinated attacks using drones and missiles, including advanced systems like the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, aiming to degrade the infrastructure necessary to support these Western aircraft.
The Russian Aerospace Forces on 23 June 2023 attacked the airfield in Starokonstantinov in the Khmelnytsky region, from where Ukrainian Su-24s took off to attack the Chongarsky bridge on the border of the Kherson region and Crimea. "According to the latest data, the airfield in Starokonstantinov was once again hit by fire, from where, as it was reported the day before, front-line bombers Su-24 of the Armed Forces (Air Forces - ed.) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine took off, hitting the Chongar bridge with British-French Storm Shadow missiles," - the Military Review portal said.
On 06 March 2022 Russia struck and disabled Ukraine's Starokostiantyniv military air base with long-range high-precision weapons. Reports say Ukraine housed their Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicles that they acquired from Turkey there. According to some sources, 5 missiles were fired by Russia at the Starokostiantyniv military airfield, Khmelnytskyy Oblast on 25 February 2022. According to City Mayor Melnychuk, the equipment was intact and everyone is alive.–confirmed by Khmelnytskyy Regional State Administration.
Starokostiantyniv (ICAO: UKLS) is an air base in Ukraine, located 4 km (2.5 mi) east of Starokostiantyniv. It is a large military base, with numerous reveted areas on both sides of main runway. Units stationed at Starokostiantyniv include the 7th Bomber and Reconnaissance Brigade flying Su-24M, Su-24MR aircraft. In the early 1990s the airbase was home to the 7th Bomber Aviation Regiment flying Su-24M aircraft. During the Cold War the 85th Fighter Aviation Regiment was also located at the base.
The U.S. Air Force participate in the first-ever Clear Sky exercise in mid-October 2018, primarily at Starokostiantyniv Air Base, Ukraine, as well as other training areas and ranges in the region. Clear Sky 2018 is a joint and multinational exercise that will involve approximately 950 personnel from nine nations, including Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of collaboration between the California Air National Guard and Ukraine as part of U.S. European Command's State Partnership Program, and this exercise will include robust participation of California ANG units. Aircraft from California units will include F-15C Eagles and a C-130J Super Hercules.
Other U.S. aircraft participating in the exercise included an F-15D from the 48th Fighter Wing, KC-135s from the Illinois ANG and the 100th Air Refueling Wing, and MQ-9s operating out of Miroslawiec AB, Poland. The Pennsylvania ANG provided Joint Terminal Attack Controller instructors, and several additional units from California, Maryland, Ohio, New York, Alaska, Washington and bases in Europe were also scheduled to participate. Training focused on air sovereignty, air interdiction, air-to-ground integration, air mobility operations, aeromedical evacuation, cyber defense, and personnel recovery. A Ukrainian Su-27UB fighter aircraft crashed 16 October 2018 at approximately 5 p.m. local time during exercise Clear Sky 2018 in the Khmelnytskyi region, Ukraine. One U.S. service member and one Ukrainian service member died in the crash.
This exercise aims to enhance regional capabilities to secure air sovereignty and promote peace and security through cooperation, collaboration and interoperability with NATO partners and other allies in the region.
A city (2001 pop 35,206) on the Sluch River and a raion center in Khmelnytskyi oblast. Starokostiantyniv is 47 km from Khmelnytskyi city. It is easier to get to Starokostyantiny by bus from Khmelnytskyi, because the trains run according to a rather inconvenient schedule and the station is far from the city center. The relief difference between the two regions is clearly felt on the road from Khmelnytskyi: the closer you get to Starokostyantynov, the landscape becomes more flat.
It was founded in the 1560s by Prince Kostiantyn Vasyl Ostrozky, who fortified Kolyshchentsi village and raised it to the status of a city with the rights of Magdeburg law. Until the beginning of the 17th century the town was known as Kostiantyniv or Kostiantynivka. In the 16th and 17th centuries it was a major center of Socinianism in Volhynia. Many battles between Cossack and Polish armies, especially during Bohdan Khmelnytsky's rule, were fought in the vicinity of Starokostiantyniv.
For a long time, it was believed that the city was founded by Prince Vasyl-Kostyantin Ostrozkiin 1561. However, recent research has revealed that Starokostiantyniv is the historical city of Kobudem , whose history dates back 800 years. The city belonged to the lands of the Bolokhiv princes and was located on the Black Road. Starokostiantyniv itself was founded in 1525 as the settlement of Kolyschenets (Kolyschenets), which was first mentioned in the decree of the Polish king to the Kremenets starost dated March 5, 1505, so that he " allowed Ivan Labunsky to possess the villages of Hrybeninka, Sakhnivtsi (now villages in the Starokostiantyniv district) and Kolyschenets ".
In Starokostiantynov, in addition to the castle, the defense tower of the Dominican monastery, the Capuchin church and the embankment with figures of iron monsters are of interest. And so the city center is completely empty, not counting literally a couple of pre-revolutionary buildings.
The Starokostiantyniv Castle is a Volhynian castle built at the confluence of the Sluch and Ikopot' rivers by Prince Konstanty Wasyl Ostrogski in the 1560s. The castle of Starokostiantyniv withstood many attacks by the Turks and the Crimean Tatars but was successfully stormed by the rebellious Cossacks in 1648. After the partition of Poland in 1793, the town was annexed by Russia. In the 19th century it was a county center of Volhynia gubernia and a manufacturer of tobacco products, oil, soap, beer, bricks, and potash. By 1911 its population was about 20,000, including 11,800 Jews, 7,200 Ukrainians, and 1,200 Poles. During the Ukrainian-Soviet War, 1917–21, the Ukrainian Galician Army fought the Red Army near the town (13–14 August 1919), and later that year the Army of the Ukrainian National Republic broke through the Bolshevik front there to launch its First Winter Campaign. Today the city's main industries are food processing, machine building, and metalworking. Its architectural monuments include the remains of the old fortress (1571) and a 16th-century Trinity Church.
Starokonstantinovsky embankment located in Starokostyantyniv on the banks of the picturesque river Ikopot and is one of its interesting facts travel. This is a popular local attraction. The highlight Starokonstantinovsky promenade is both whimsical and colorful sculptures. They are created from metal and machine parts. They depict fairy-tale characters, a chariot of Neptune, mermaids and others. By arrangement - sculptor Nicholas Mazur. The main figure on the waterfront is the god of the sea - Neptune. He is depicted in motion - appears out of the water on sea horses. Next set mermaid sculpture and several bizarre aquatic creatures. Other metal sculpture like animal, but leave the tourists fancy place. Thanks to them, this promenade has become a popular destination in Starokonstantinov. Often on the waterfront there are various celebrations. This permanent place to celebrate Midsummer.
Starokostiantyniv Castle was so strong that the Tatars could not never take it. Powerful building perfectly fulfill its defensive function. It ran through Starokostiantyniv Black way - one of the three main roads that moved Tatar horde, making predatory raids. The grounds of the castle had the form of a triangle, with the two sides washed by rivers Ikopot happened, and the third borders the city. Separated the fortress from him a 200-meter deep moat. Behind him was a bastion for the shaft with the gun firing. Entrance to the castle guarded the entrance gate with a wooden drawbridge. The walls of the fortress is almost 6 meters in height, and thickness of 1.5-2.0 m. Until our days "survived" two-storey palace itself-lock, part of powerful walls. Persisted storey corner tower with a basement - one out of five.
The Watchtower in Starokonstantinov is a donjon with a height of about 70 meters was supposed to reliably provide a view and penetration of a large area. It is an architectural monument of the Middle Ages. It is located in the central part of the river. It is considered a Starokonstantinov symbol. The tower was built in the years 1561-1580, during the construction of the city Starokonstantinov. Construction took place under Prince Vasily Konstantin Ostrog. Later it was built near the church. Watchtower was built high and was part of fortifications in the city. In the 18th century, the tower was rebuilt. For a long time it was used as a bell tower for the Dominican monastery. Its main function was to provide reliable cross examination and the surrounding area and warning of the approach of enemy attack. The tower has a height of 70 meters. It was built in six tiers that are connected by a spiral staircase, which shifted toward the walls. The tower is built of stone and brick, covered with stucco. The wall thickness of 2.8 m. Lighting passed through the window.
