The occupiers are taking measures to partially redeploy the aviation equipment from forward-based airfields in Crimea to alternative airfields and the airfields permanently based in the territory of the russian federation. Such activity has been noted following a series of explosions at military infrastructure facilities in the temporarily occupied Crimea, including at the Saky (9th August) and Hvardiiske (16th August) airfields. At least 24 aircrafts and 14 helicopters changed place.

Thus, on August 11, five Su-27/30 aircrafts from the 38th Fighter Aviation Regiment (Belbek) and five Su-34 aircrafts from the 559th Bomber Aviation Regiment (Morozovsk) flew to the Hvardiiske airfield.

On 17 August, the flights of three KA-27 helicopters from the 318th separate combined aviation regiment (Kacha) of the Black Sea Fleet were observed to Khersones; three KA-27 helicopters from the 318th separate combined aviation regiment of the Black Sea Fleet – to Sevastopol; eight helicopters – to Krasnodar.

On August 17, aircrafts from the Belbek airfield were spotted flying to airfields in russian territory:

- three Su-35S aircrafts from the 23rd fighter aviation regiment (Dzemhi) of the 303rd combined aviation division of the 11th Army of Air Forces and Air Defence Forces of the Eastern Military District to Primorsko-Akhtarsk;

- three Su-34 aircrafts from the 559th Bomber Aviation Regiment (Morozovsk) of the 1st combined aviation division of the 4th Army of Air Forces and Air Defence Forces to Primorsko-Akhtarsk;

- five Su-27/30SM aircrafts from the 38th Fighter Aviation Regiment (Belbek) of the 27th combined aviation division of the 4th Army of Air Forces and Air Defence Forces to Krymsk;

- an aircraft, probably MiG-31, to Helendzhyk;

- two aircrafts, probably MiG-31, to Kushchevsk.

During the flight, one of the MiG-31s had a fire on board. The probable cause was said to be a fire in the main propulsion unit and navigation equipment.