Thu Mar 20 13:42:11 UTC 2025: ## Ukraine Launches Drone Attack on Major Russian Airbase, Causing Significant Damage
**Engels, Russia –** A significant drone attack on a major Russian airbase deep inside Russian territory has been reported, resulting in a large fire and explosions. Both Ukrainian and Russian officials confirmed the incident at the Engels airbase in the Saratov region, approximately 700 kilometers from the front lines of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Videos verified by Reuters show a massive explosion at the airfield, with subsequent damage to nearby buildings. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have intercepted 132 Ukrainian drones over various Russian regions. However, the attack on Engels resulted in injuries to at least ten people, according to local officials.
The Engels airbase, a Soviet-era facility, is home to Russia’s Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear-capable strategic bombers. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that their forces targeted the airfield and triggered secondary explosions of ammunition. They asserted that Russia had utilized the base to launch strikes against Ukraine. Local residents reported finding drone debris in their gardens. Some reports suggest the use of PD-2 and Liutyi drones in the attack.
Saratov Governor Roman Busargin confirmed a drone attack on Engels, leading to the evacuation of nearby residents and declaring a local state of emergency. While the governor didn’t explicitly name the Engels airbase, it is the region’s primary airfield.
This is not the first time Engels airbase has been targeted. Previous attacks, including one in December 2022 and another in January 2023 targeting an oil depot, have also been reported. Reuters was unable to independently verify all aspects of the latest incident at the airfield. The attack highlights the escalating conflict and Ukraine’s continued efforts to strike deep within Russian territory.
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