185th Aerospace Forces Combat Use and Combat Mission Center (Ashuluk)
Location Analysis
The 185th Aerospace Forces Combat Use and Combat Mission Center, also known as military unit 28004, is situated near Ashuluk in the Astrakhan region of Russia. This area is strategically significant due to its proximity to major transportation routes and its relative isolation, which is conducive to large-scale military exercises and weapons testing. The site is recognized as a primary training and evaluation ground for Russia’s Aerospace Forces, particularly for air defense units.
Infrastructure Capabilities
The Ashuluk facility is equipped with extensive infrastructure to support a wide range of air defense operations. This includes multiple radar installations, missile launch complexes, command and control centers, and logistical support areas. The site is designed to accommodate both live-fire exercises and the operational deployment of advanced air defense systems. Its infrastructure supports the integration and testing of new technologies, as well as the training of personnel in complex, multi-layered air defense scenarios.
Air Defense Radar Assets
The center hosts a variety of advanced air defense radar systems. Notable assets include the 59N6-E Protivnik-GE, a mobile 3D radar capable of tracking aerodynamic and ballistic targets; the 5N84A Oborona-14, a legacy long-range surveillance radar; the 55ZH6M Nebo-M, a multi-band radar system designed for detecting stealth and hypersonic targets; the 48Ya6-K1 Podlet K1, a low-altitude surveillance radar; the 2E2 Kasta 2E, a mobile low-altitude radar; and the 1L220-U Zoopark-2, an artillery reconnaissance radar, though the latter’s presence is unconfirmed. This diverse radar inventory enables comprehensive coverage against a range of aerial threats.
Surface-to-Air Missile Systems
The site has historically been used for the deployment and testing of advanced surface-to-air missile systems, including the S-400 Triumf. The S-400 system, when present, is typically accompanied by 92N6E Grave Stone engagement radars and transporter erector launchers (TELs). However, satellite imagery from 2022 indicates that the S-400 TELs and associated 92N6E radar were not present at the site during that period, suggesting either a temporary redeployment or a pause in active training and evaluation activities involving this system.
Operational Status and Recent Activity
Recent satellite imagery from 2022 shows the absence of S-400 TELs and the 92N6E radar at the Ashuluk site. This may reflect a shift in operational priorities, redeployment of assets to other regions, or a scheduled rotation of equipment for maintenance or upgrades. The continued presence of multiple radar systems, however, indicates that the site remains active as a training and evaluation center for air defense operations, albeit with a possible focus on radar and command-and-control exercises rather than live missile launches.