Ukraine has launched a major drone attack on a key military airfield near a Russian strategic bomber base, causing local officials to declare a state of emergency.
Footage posted on Telegram shows a large mushroom cloud rising above Engels in Saratov, southern Russia, home to Vladimir Putin’s Tu-95 and Tu-160 nuclear-capable heavy bombers.
Roman Busargin, governor of the Saratov region, said the drone attack had left the airfield on fire and that nearby residents had been evacuated.
Military target
The base in Engels, around 435 miles from the front lines in Ukraine, has been used as a launch base for Russian planes in the war.
It hosts the 121st Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment, a unit of the Russian Aerospace Forces’ long-range aviation and also stores Kh-101 and Kh-55 cruise missiles.
Russian Telegram channels report the largest drone attack on Russian Engels and Saratov, according to the local governor.
It is reported that evacuation was announced in the area of the local airfield (it hosts Russian strategic bombers that attack Ukraine). pic.twitter.com/SyqnzQQ4tH
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) March 20, 2025
As a military target, the attack would not constitute a breach of a partial ceasefire that was agreed between Russia and Ukraine covering civilian and energy infrastructure.
Volodymyr Zelensky admitted last night that a partial ceasefire with Russia would likely not come into effect until it was agreed upon in a document.
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