Ukraine says it has Donetsk airport under "fire control." Satellite images show Russia building there anyway

Ukraine says Russia is losing control of the occupied Donetsk International Airport, but satellite evidence suggests the site is still being adapted for drone operations. Ukraine’s 1st Separate Unmanned Systems Center said in June 2026 that sustained strikes had put the airport under “fire control” and made it unusable for Russian missions. However, analysis by the Telegram channel “Strategic Aviation” using imagery dated to 29 June 2026 reports expanded Geran-3 launch pads sized for the jet-powered drones, plus new access roads to the Geran/Gerbera drone warehouse added in June. The work continues an earlier conversion that satellite imagery confirmed beginning in mid-2025. Russia is also preparing mass production of Geran-4 by January 2026, with test launches from Oryol Oblast’s Primorsk drone airport and from Donetsk. The only other known Geran-3/4 launch sites are Tsymbulova in Oryol Oblast and Donetsk itself.