Fires, explosions, and evacuation: What’s happens in Engels after largest drone attack
Photo: Drones could have attacked a refinery, as well as a military airfield in the Saratov region (Russian media)
In the Saratov region, there are complaints about the most massive drone attack. Reports on social media mention hits in the area of the Engels airfield, with thick plumes of smoke visible, explosions starting early in the morning and continuing, indicating probable detonations at weapon storage depots.
Updated at 12:26. The General Staff confirmed the strike on the Russian Engels airfield.
A fire, explosions, and secondary detonation of munitions have been recorded in the area of the military airfield.
"The Ukrainian Defense Forces possess detailed information about the strategic objects of the Russian occupiers, adhere to the norms of international humanitarian law, and take measures to maximize the protection of civilians and end the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine," the General Staff stated.
Updated at 12:21. Sources from RBC-Ukraine confirmed the strike on the Engels airfield. The attack was carried out by drones of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Special Operations Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
According to sources, this airfield is a key base for Russia's strategic aviation. It is home to Tu-95MS, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers, as well as storage for high-explosive aerial bombs, guided aerial bombs, and cruise missiles. Aircraft from this base carry out missile strikes on Ukraine.
Due to the successful attack by the Security Service of Ukraine drones and Special Operations Forces, fire, explosions, and secondary detonation of munitions have been recorded in the area of the airfield. Russian air defense systems were ineffective and hit civilian buildings and infrastructure in the cities of Engels and Saratov.
Updated at 11:12. The Center for Countering Disinformation stated that due to the strike on Engels, the Russians lost missiles, including the X-101.
According to the Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, Andriy Kovalenko, the exact number of destroyed missiles at the Engels airfield will be understood later.
"This airfield stores the largest number of missiles used by strategic aviation for strikes on Ukraine," Kovalenko added.
Drone attack on Engels and Saratov
Explosions in Saratov and Engels started at dawn. According to monitoring Telegram channels, the targets were the Saratov oil refinery and the area of the Engels-2 airfield (the distance to the Russian city Engels from Ukraine is about 700 km).
Ukrainian public groups, citing OSINT analysts, report that a weapons depot at the military Engels-2 airfield was hit. The target is thought to be a possible strike on a weapon or ammunition storage near the airfield.
Meanwhile, local citizens report secondary detonations after the strike. They mentioned seeing thick smoke in the 3rd aviation settlement neighborhood in Engels after a series of drone attacks. This neighborhood is located about 10 kilometers from the Engels-2 military airfield.
At the same time, local Russian authorities are already complaining about the largest drone attack on Saratov and Engels since the war began.
The governor of the Saratov region, Roman Busargin, announced a fire at the airfield. According to him, this led to the evacuation of residents from houses near the military airfield. An emergency situation of the municipal level has been declared in the Engels district due to the attack.
In addition, local authorities are reporting damage to over 30 buildings, hospitals, two kindergartens, and a school. They claim that two people were injured. In Engels, schools have switched to remote learning.
Russian propaganda Telegram channels Mash and Shot reported during the night that "due to debris from a falling drone," a fire also broke out in the area of an oil depot in Engels. Local authorities have not commented on this. However, footage has circulated online showing a burning object resembling a fuel depot.
Photo: drones could have attacked the oil refinery in Engels, Russia's Saratov region at night (Russian Media)
The sounds of explosions during the drone attack were also heard by residents of Saratov. The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency announced a temporary halt in operations at Saratov and Samara airports.
According to the Russians, over the night, 54 drones were shot down over the Saratov region. In addition, UAVs were allegedly downed over the Voronezh, Belgorod, Rostov, Kursk, and Lipetsk regions, as well as in occupied Crimea. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, a total of 132 drones were destroyed overnight.
Why Engels airfield is important to Russia
The Engels-2 airbase, located in the Saratov region of Russia, is one of the key facilities for Russia's strategic aviation. This base hosts strategic bombers, including the Tu-95MS and Tu-160, which Russia uses to launch missiles at Ukraine.
By the end of the first year of the full-scale war, Ukrainian drones reached the Engels-2 airbase. As a result of the attack, at least one strategic bomber was damaged. This attack forced the Russian command to reduce the presence of strategic aviation at this base.
In January 2025, Ukrainian drones struck the Kristal oil depot located on the territory of the Engels-2 airfield. This led to the ignition of aviation fuel tanks for Tu-160 bombers, the same ones Russia uses to terrorize the population of Ukraine.
Thus, these attacks had a significant impact on the combat capabilities of enemy strategic aviation and demonstrated the vulnerability of key military facilities in Russia.
Sources: Russian Telegram channels ASTRA, Baza, Shot, statements from the governor of the Saratov region, Roman Busargin, and OSINT analysts' data.
