Vasylkiv was an interceptor aircraft

Interceptor aircraft

An interceptor aircraft is a type of fighter aircraft designed specifically to prevent missions of enemy aircraft, particularly bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. Interceptors generally rely on high speed and powerful armament in order to complete their mission as quickly as possible and set up...

 base during the Cold War

Cold War

The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...

 in Kiev Oblast

Kiev Oblast

Kyiv Oblast, sometimes written as Kiev Oblast is an oblast in central Ukraine.The administrative center of the oblast is the city of Kyiv , also being the capital of Ukraine...

, Ukraine

Ukraine

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...

 located 7 km north of Vasylkiv

Vasylkiv

Vasylkiv is a city located on the Stuhna River in the Kiev Oblast in central Ukraine. Serving as the administrative center of the Vasylkivskyi Raion , the city itself is also designated as a separate raion within the oblast. A location with an over 1000 years history, it was incorporated as a...

. It is a medium-sized fighter base with numerous revetments.

Units stationed at Vasylkiv include the 146 Gv IAP (146 Guards Interceptor Aviation Regiment) flying 41 MiG-25PD (Foxbat) aircraft through at least 1991 . The regiment was subordinate to 8 OA PVO (8th Air Army, Air Defense).