Explosions and fires at Engels airbase: Ukrainian Special services behind attack
Photo: The attack on the Engels airfield was a special operation of the SBU and the SSO (rosmedia)
Drones attacked the Engels airbase in Russia overnight on March 20. The strike was part of a special operation conducted by Ukrainian special services, according to RBC-Ukraine's sources in the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
"The nighttime explosion at the Engels airbase in the Saratov region was the result of a joint operation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Special Operations Forces (SSO) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the sources stated.
As a result of the successful drone attack, fire, explosions, and secondary detonation of ammunition were recorded in the airbase area.
According to sources, Russian air defense systems were ineffective, with missiles striking civilian buildings and infrastructure in the cities of Engels and Saratov instead of neutralizing the attack.
"The SBU, alongside its partners, continues to conduct precision strikes on key Russian military targets, which are legitimate military objectives. Such special operations reduce the enemy's ability to terrorize Ukrainian cities with missile strikes," a source in the SBU reported.
General Staff confirms the strike
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine also confirmed the strike on Engels airbase.
"Units of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine, in cooperation with other components of the Defense Forces, struck the Engels airbase in the Saratov region of the Russian Federation overnight on March 20," the statement reads.
According to military officials, a fire, explosions, and secondary detonation of ammunition were recorded in the airbase area.
What's known about Engels airbase
The Engels Airbase is a key strategic aviation base of the Russian Federation. It houses Tu-95MS, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers, as well as warehouses with FAB, KAB, and cruise missiles.
It is from this airbase that Russian aircraft take off to launch missile strikes on Ukraine.
During the night of March 20, Russians reported explosions in the Saratov region. Unidentified drones struck an oil refinery in Engels.
Additionally, reports surfaced online about an explosion near the Engels airbase, with thick clouds of smoke visible. The explosions began early in the morning and continued, indicating a possible detonation of weapons depots.
Later, the Ukrainian Center for Strategic Communications suggested that the strike on Engels may have destroyed Russian missiles, particularly a warehouse containing Kh-101 missiles.
This is not the first attack on the Engels airbase. For example, on the night of February 11, explosions were also heard in Engels and Saratov. At that time, drones also attacked the airbase and an oil refinery.
