A Ukrainian drone strike targeted a key Russian strategic bomber airfield on Thursday, igniting a massive explosion and fire approximately 700 kilometers (435 miles) from the war’s front lines, according to Russian and Ukrainian officials.
Verified footage showed a large blast radiating from the airfield, damaging nearby cottages. Russia’s defense ministry reported that air defenses had intercepted 132 Ukrainian drones across multiple Russian regions. Additional video evidence displayed a thick plume of smoke rising into the early morning sky, with flames engulfing the area.
The airbase in Engels, a Soviet-era military facility, houses Russia’s Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear-capable heavy strategic bombers, commonly referred to as “White Swans.”
Saratov Governor Roman Busargin confirmed a Ukrainian drone attack in Engels, stating it had set an airfield ablaze and prompted evacuations of nearby residents. While he did not specifically name the Engels airbase, it remains the primary military facility in the vicinity.
Ukraine’s defense ministry claimed responsibility for striking the airfield, leading to secondary explosions due to stored ammunition. Kyiv asserted that Russia had been utilizing the Engels base for launching attacks on Ukrainian territory.
Local officials reported that ten people sustained injuries in the strike. Some residents were alarmed to discover remnants of Ukrainian drones scattered in their gardens. The Shot Telegram channel suggested Ukraine deployed PD-2 and Liutyi drones in the assault.
Engels district head Maxim Leonov announced a local state of emergency but provided limited details. Independent verification of events at the airfield remained unconfirmed.
Ukraine has previously targeted the Engels airbase, with documented attacks dating back to December 2022. In January, Ukraine claimed responsibility for striking an oil depot serving the base, igniting a fire that burned for five days.
A Ukrainian security source at the time stated that a drone strike had hit a storage facility containing guided bombs and missiles at Engels.
