Fire rages for 14 hours after Ukrainian attack on Russian oil depot in Engels
Photo: Attack on oil depot in Engels (rosmedia)
Ukrainian forces today attacked an oil depot in Russia’s Engels. The fire at the site has not been extinguished for more than 14 hours, Russian Telegram channels stated.
Local citizens report a strong smell of burning and new explosions at the oil depot. According to eyewitnesses, another storage tank caught fire in the evening, and the flames intensified. The "PRO ENGELS" channel notes that smoke has engulfed half the city.
Moreover, according to locals, explosions continue to be heard from the fire site.
The governor of the Saratov region, Roman Busargin, confirmed the fire at an industrial facility caused by the fall of UAV debris. An operational headquarters is working at the scene.
According to Busargin, two firefighters died while extinguishing the fire, and another was injured.
Engels-2 airbase
The Engels-2 airbase is located near the city of Engels in the Saratov region, approximately 700 kilometers from territory controlled by Ukraine.
This airbase is one of the largest in Russia and houses strategic bombers, including the Tu-95MS and Tu-160.
The Engels-2 airbase has repeatedly been targeted by Ukrainian attacks. For instance, on December 5, 2022, two Tu-95MS aircraft were damaged during explosions. According to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, the attack was carried out by Ukrainian Tu-141 Strizh drones loaded with explosives.
Night attack on Engels
On the night of January 8, explosions were heard in Engels, Saratov region. Busargin reported a drone attack. According to him, an industrial facility was damaged.
Footage of the intense fire was published online. Russian social media channels claimed that an oil storage facility at the airbase was struck.
