Russia expanding key airbase for missile strikes on Ukraine: What is known
Illustrative photo: Construction at the Engels‑2 airbase indicates that Russia is preparing new strikes on Ukraine (Russian media)
Russia is expanding the Engels-2 airbase, which serves as the main hub for its strategic aviation. It is from this base that the aggressor country launches missile carriers for strikes on Ukraine, according to the Aratta special unit of the Defense Intelligence (HUR) of the Ministry of Defense.
"In the northern part of the base, concrete is being poured and 12 new parking stands are being prepared for Tu-95MS, Tu-160, Su-34 and Su-35 aircraft," the post reads.
The intelligence unit emphasized that the active construction indicates Russia is preparing for new waves of strikes, since it is from Engels-2 that massive attacks on Ukrainian cities are carried out.
"Ukraine needs to build up its own deep‑strike capabilities — drones, long‑range rockets and precision weapons — to hit such bases preemptively," the HUR special unit stressed.
What is known about Engels‑2
Engels‑2 is a Russian airbase located about 700 km from the Ukrainian border in Russia’s Saratov region, from which strategic bombers take off to launch missile strikes on peaceful Ukrainian cities.
The base hosts Tu-95 aircraft (carrying 6–8 Kh-101 missiles) and Tu-160 aircraft (carrying 12 Kh-101 missiles).
In June, Ukraine carried out preemptive strikes on two key Russian airfields — Engels and Dyagilevo. At Engels, multiple hits were confirmed on at least three fuel storage tanks.
At Dyagilevo, Ukrainian forces successfully struck the airfield, causing a fire in the target area.
The fuel depot in Engels, Saratov region, burned for several days after being attacked by Ukrainian defenders.
Fires also raged at the Kristall fuel depot in Engels, which hosts Russia’s strategic aviation base.
