185th Aerospace Forces Combat Use and Combat Mission Center (Ashuluk)
Identification
The coordinates and placemark context are consistent with the Ashuluk proving ground/test range in Astrakhan Oblast. OFAC listed “Ashuluk Firing Range / Ashuluk Test Range” on 11 January 2024, and the EU listed the “185th Center for Combat Use and Combat Purpose of the Aerospace Forces ‘Ashuluk’” on 23 February 2024. ([ofac.treasury.gov](https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20240111))
Mission
EU sanctions language describes Ashuluk as a Russian Armed Forces weapons training ground used in particular to test anti-aircraft and other missiles. Russian MoD reporting carried by TASS shows live firing there by S-300, S-400 and Pantsyr-S1 against cruise-missile, ballistic and aircraft targets. ([boe.es](https://www.boe.es/doue/2024/747/L00001-00205.pdf))
Air-defense complex
TASS reporting on MoD statements shows Ashuluk exercises have involved S-400 launchers, radio-technical troops, division-level command posts, and radars including Nebo-M, Kasta 2-2 and Podlyot. This supports assessing the site as an integrated air-defense/radar training complex rather than only a missile firing lane; however, the reviewed public sources do not confirm the exact model assignment for each individual radar or launcher placemark in the supplied dataset. ([tass.com](https://tass.com/defense/967961))
Deployment logistics
Ashuluk routinely accepts long-range redeployments. In 2014, Russian defense reporting said trains delivered S-400 systems, engineer equipment and supplies for a field camp to the range; in 2017, an entire three-battalion S-400 regiment was moved there for live firing. These reports indicate rail-linked reception and temporary support capacity for large SAM formations. ([tass.com](https://tass.com/russia/744386))
Recent training use
The range is also used for allied air-defense training. Interfax, citing the Belarusian Defense Ministry, reported Belarusian S-300PS and Tor-M2 crews conducting the second phase of live-fire exercises at the Ashuluk range of the 185th Center in August 2022, including an overnight firing serial; TASS reported Belarusian S-300 and Tor-M2K live firing there in August 2024, and RIA Novosti reported another Belarusian operational-tactical drill at Ashuluk in August 2025. ([interfax-russia.ru](https://www.interfax-russia.ru/military/news_eng/384169))