Russian airbase under drone attack, no casualties reported
The Engels-2 airbase in the Saratov oblast, where Russian strategic bombers are stationed, was attacked by drones in the morning. Residents wrote on social media that they heard four explosions.
Unmanned aerial vehicles over Engels were eliminated. The air defence system operated effectively. There were no casualties and infrastructure damage due to the wreckage falling, reported Saratov oblast governor Valery Radaev.
"Air defence systems destroyed five Ukrainian drones on alert over the territories of the Belgorod oblast (1 drone shot down) and Saratov oblast (4 drones shot down)", - added later in a statement by the Russian Ministry of Defence.
The Engels base has seen multiple attacks
Stationed at the Engels-2 base is the 121st Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment with Tu-160M and the 184th Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment with Tupolev Tu-95 MS from the 22nd Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Division. Aircraft from the 121st and 184th Divisions attacked Ukraine during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
This facility, home to Russian strategic bombers, has already been targeted several times by the Kyiv combat drone fleet. In December 2022, Ukrainian forces managed to damage at least two strategic bombers, Tu-95MS, on the airfield.
