A Ukrainian drone attack inflicted significant damage on a critical Russian military airfield on Thursday, igniting a massive explosion and blaze roughly 700 kilometers from the war front lines, according to statements from Russian and Ukrainian officials.
Roman Busargin, the governor of Saratov, confirmed the event, indicating a drone strike on the city of Engels led to a fire at an airfield, prompting the evacuation of nearby residents and a declaration of state of emergency in the district of Engels. Although he did not specifically cite the Engels base, it serves as the primary airfield in the region.
Engels, within Saratov Oblast, hosts the Engels-2 airbase, a crucial strategic bomber facility situated approximately 14 kilometers east of Saratov.
Reporting on its website, kyivindependent.com stated that Ukrainian drones successfully targeted the Engels-2 airbase overnight on March 20. Reuters disclosed that Ukraine’s defense ministry claimed responsibility for striking the airfield, causing additional explosions of stored ammunition. Kyiv has noted that Russia has launched attacks on Ukraine from this Engels base.
