The airfield was a key location for the 1944 Operation Frantic, where American B-17 bombers utilized Poltava for 'shuttle bombing' missions between England, Italy, and Ukraine.
The Tu-160 on display is one of the few surviving examples of the world's largest and heaviest combat aircraft.
The museum grounds include the original command bunker used during the Cold War era.
The airfield's runway was historically designed to handle the heavy takeoff weight of nuclear-capable strategic bombers.
The collection includes various types of air-launched cruise missiles that were once carried by the displayed aircraft.
The Poltava Museum of Long-Range Strategic Aviation is located on the site of a former Soviet airbase that served as a terminal for Operation Frantic during World War II. The collection features a prominent outdoor display of heavy Soviet strategic bombers and Cold War-era aircraft. Key exhibits include the Tu-160 'White Swan,' the Tu-95MS 'Bear,' and the Tu-22M3 'Backfire.' The museum preserves the history of the 13th Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Division. Visitors can walk underneath these massive aircraft and enter the cockpits of select models. The site serves as a testament to the technological capabilities of the Soviet long-range aviation fleet. Many of the aircraft on display remain in a state of exterior preservation reflective of their original active service configuration.
Standing directly under the massive fuselage of the Tu-160 'White Swan' for a sense of scale.
Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes as you will be walking across an open airfield tarmac.
Bring sun protection, as the outdoor display area provides almost no shade.
Check the local weather forecast, as the museum is an entirely open-air facility with no indoor climate-controlled hangars.
Do not attempt to climb on any aircraft exterior surfaces or cross marked safety cordons.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
