Ukraine Strikes Russian Strategic Bomber Base in Major Drone Attack

Ukraine launched a significant drone strike on a Russian strategic bomber airfield on Thursday, igniting a massive explosion and fire approximately 700 km (435 miles) from the front lines of the ongoing war. Russian and Ukrainian officials confirmed the attack, marking another escalation in the conflict.

Verified videos from the scene captured a powerful explosion tearing through the airfield, causing widespread damage, including the destruction of nearby cottages. Additional footage showed a towering plume of smoke rising into the early morning sky as flames engulfed the area.

💥 Russia: Ukraine struck the Engels Military Air Base in Saratov region. pic.twitter.com/JqfDGtXPR1

— Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) March 20, 2025

The Engels airbase, a key Russian military installation dating back to Soviet times, is home to the Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear-capable strategic bombers, commonly known as White Swans. Ukrainian forces claim that Russia has used the base to launch airstrikes against Ukraine.

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Russia’s defense ministry reported that its air defenses had intercepted and shot down 132 Ukrainian drones across various regions. However, local officials in Saratov, where the Engels base is located, confirmed that a Ukrainian drone attack had set an airfield on fire, prompting the evacuation of nearby residents.

While Roman Busargin, governor of Saratov, did not explicitly mention the Engels base, it remains the primary airfield in the region.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s defense ministry confirmed the strike, adding that it triggered secondary detonations of ammunition at the site. Local authorities reported that at least ten people were injured in the attack.

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In the aftermath of the attack, some local residents were surprised to find remnants of Ukrainian drones scattered in their gardens. Reports from Russian media suggested that Ukraine deployed PD-2 and Liutyi drones to carry out the strike. Engels district head Maxim Leonov announced a local state of emergency, but details remained scarce.

This is not the first time Ukraine has targeted the Engels airbase. Previous attacks date back to December 2022, with Ukraine also claiming responsibility for striking an oil depot serving the base in January 2023.

That strike resulted in a massive fire that burned for five days. A Ukrainian security source stated at the time that drones had also hit a storage facility containing guided bombs and missiles at the base.

This latest strike underscores Kyiv’s ongoing efforts to disrupt Russian military operations deep within its territory. As the war intensifies, attacks on key Russian infrastructure appear to be a strategic component of Ukraine’s defense efforts.