Amid the ongoing ceasefire talks, Ukraine carried out a major drone attack on Russia’s Engels strategic bomber base on Thursday, setting off a powerful explosion and fire nearly 700 km from the front lines. The strike marked one of Kyiv’s most significant long-range assaults.
The Engels air base, located in Russia’s Saratov region, is home to Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear-capable strategic bombers, known as “White Swans.” The airfield has been a frequent target of Ukrainian strikes, with previous attacks reported in December 2022 and January this year.
According to Roman Busargin, the governor of Saratov, a Ukrainian drone attack ignited a fire at an airfield in Engels, prompting the evacuation of nearby residents. Meanwhile, Maxim Leonov, head of the Engels district, confirmed that a local state of emergency had been declared.
Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its air defences had successfully intercepted 132 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions, including Bryansk, Tatarstan, and Tula, as well as over the Black Sea. The ministry also claimed that nine drones were specifically downed overnight before they could cause damage.
