Engels airbase in flames after Ukraine's Special Services coordinated attack

Engels Airbase serves as a primary base for Russia’s strategic aviation, housing Tu-95MS, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers, as well as storage facilities for guided bombs (FAB, KAB) and cruise missiles, therefore playing a direct role in launching missile strikes against Ukraine.

According to sources, the drone attack by SBU and SSO resulted in large fires, explosions, and secondary detonations of ammunition in the area of the airbase. Russian air defenses failed to intercept the attack effectively, with some of their missiles reportedly striking civilian buildings and infrastructure in the cities of Engels and Saratov.

Ukraine's precision strikes on military targets

"SBU, together with its partners, continues to surgically strike key Russian military sites, which are entirely legitimate military targets," an intelligence source told NV.

"These special operations diminish the enemy’s capability to terrorize Ukrainian cities with missile strikes."

The General Staff confirmed the attack, stating that "units of the SBU and Special Operations Forces, in coordination with other components of Ukraine’s Defense Forces, struck Engels Airbase in Saratov Oblast."

The statement further emphasized that Ukrainian forces operate in strict accordance with international humanitarian law, take precautions to minimize risks to civilians, and aim to end Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Russia’s response: evacuations and damage control

Russian Telegram channels reported explosions and a massive fire near a local oil refinery in Engels, with thick smoke observed over the nearby Tretie Letochnoye neighborhood, located about 10 kilometers from Engels-2 Airbase.

Local authorities in Engels district described the drone attack as the most massive strike on the airbase to date and announced emergency evacuations in the area.