Ukrainian drones launch the largest attack on the Saratov region, striking Engels air base. Massive fire disrupts Russian operations

Engels-2 air base took a direct hit. Ukrainian drones breached Russian defenses, striking one of Moscow’s most critical military installations. Thick black smoke billowed over Saratov, a grim sign that something big went wrong.

This wasn’t just any airfield. Engels-2 houses Russia’s Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bombers, central to its long-range missile strikes. If Kyiv can reach this far, nowhere is safe. Moscow claims 132 drones were intercepted, with 54 over Saratov alone, yet explosions rocked the base. Clearly, not everything was shot down.

Local authorities rushed to evacuate civilians as emergency crews fought the flames. Images circulating online show the kind of destruction Russia would rather keep quiet. Two people were reportedly injured, with damage spilling into residential areas. Governor Busargin confirmed the attack, but the scale of the impact is still unfolding. This is the largest strike on the region since the war began.

Sources:

https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-drone-attack-engels-air-base-nuclear-2047659

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/03/20/huge-blast-rocks-engels-airbase-as-ukraine-launches-major-drone-assault-a88423

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/ukraine-attacked-airfield-near-engels-strategic-bomber-base-russian-officials-say