Engels-2 airbase. A large plume of smoke is seen rising above what is reported to be the Engels-2 air base, which houses Russian Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bombers, in the city of Engels in the Saratov region, on March 20, 2025. Screengrab by Newsweek/Telegram/Astra
Ukrainian drones are reported to have struck a Russian strategic bomber base in the city of Engels in the Saratov region, in what has been described as the largest drone attack of the war on the area that houses the base.
Roman Busargin, the governor of Russia's Saratov region, took to social media platform Telegram on Thursday morning to confirm a major Ukrainian drone attack on the area, which is located in southern Russia.
Newsweek has contacted the Russian Foreign Ministry by email for comment.
Why It Matters
Kyiv has said that Russian military bases are legitimate targets and its forces regularly target them using long-range drones. Attacks on Russian soil are typically claimed by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR).
What To Know
Ukrainian media reported that drones struck the Engels-2 air base, which houses Russian Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bombers.
Russia's Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bombers are capable of carrying out nuclear and conventional long-range strikes, and have repeatedly been used by Russia's military to launch missile attacks on Ukraine.
"Today, Saratov and Engels suffered the largest attack by drones to date," Busargin wrote, noting in a separate post that a fire had broken out "on the territory of the airfield" and so residents living nearby were being evacuated.
He didn't name the Engels-2 air base specifically, but footage circulating on social media purportedly showed a huge plume of smoke rising from the base, which houses the main airfield in the area.
The military base is located some 500 miles southeast of Moscow, and it has been targeted several times throughout the war.
Some 30 residential homes were also damaged in the attack, he said.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that 132 drones were downed by air defense systems overnight, 54 of them over the Saratov region.
What People Are Saying
Saratov Region Governor Roman Busargin said on his Telegram channel on Thursday: "Today, Saratov and Engels suffered the largest attack by drones to date. All emergency services remain on high alert to eliminate the consequences.
"City authorities, in coordination with the relevant departments, are documenting all damage to civilian infrastructure in order to take the necessary measures."
Anton Gerashchenko, a former adviser to Ukraine's minister of internal affairs, said on X, formerlyTwitter: "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)."
What Happens Next
Flight restrictions have been imposed in Saratov and Engels.
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This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 5:21 AM.