Ukraine has launched one of its most extensive attacks on Russian cities since the war began, striking a key military airbase housing strategic bombers, Russian officials have reported.
The drone assaults targeted the southwestern cities of Saratov and Engels on Wednesday, Saratov regional governor Roman Busargin confirmed in a Telegram post.
“Saratov and Engels today were subjected to the most massive UAV attack ever. All emergency services continue to work in a reinforced mode to eliminate the consequences,” Busargin wrote.
Engels is home to Tu-160 and Tu-95MS long-range strategic bombers, which have been used in Russian airstrikes against Ukraine.
The airbase is located approximately 614 kilometers from Ukraine’s border, the Kyiv Post reported.
The strike started a fire at Engels airfield, prompting the evacuation of a nearby rural settlement, according to the governor.
“In Engels, the UAV attack also damaged about 30 private and dacha houses [seasonal homes],” Busargin reported in a second Telegram post.
The attack also damaged around 30 residential buildings in Engels, along with a hospital, two kindergartens and a school, the Kyiv Post cited Busargin as saying.
“Saratov and Engels today were subjected to the most massive UAV attack ever. All emergency services continue to work in a reinforced mode to eliminate the consequences,” Busargin wrote.
Engels is home to Tu-160 and Tu-95MS long-range strategic bombers, which have been used in Russian airstrikes against Ukraine.
The airbase is located approximately 614 kilometers from Ukraine’s border, the Kyiv Post reported.
The strike started a fire at Engels airfield, prompting the evacuation of a nearby rural settlement, according to the governor.
Local reports indicated that secondary explosions were heard in surrounding areas. According to Ukrainian open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts, the drone attack targeted an ammunition depot.‼️‼️‼️ Big news – At dawn, Ukrainians strike the Engels airbase of Russia’s strategic aviation in the Saratov region, about 600 km from the border, using kamikaze drones. Loud explosions are being heard at the site, and a large amount of ammunition is being destroyed. It is not… pic.twitter.com/20LjXqz9Yx
— Visioner (@visionergeo) March 20, 2025
“In Engels, the UAV attack also damaged about 30 private and dacha houses [seasonal homes],” Busargin reported in a second Telegram post.
The attack also damaged around 30 residential buildings in Engels, along with a hospital, two kindergartens and a school, the Kyiv Post cited Busargin as saying.
Significant assault by Russia
Hours after the attack, Russia also carried out a large-scale drone assault on the central Ukrainian city of Kropyvnytskyi overnight, injuring at least 10 people, including four children, local officials said Wednesday.
Andriy Raykovych, the regional governor, reported the attack via Telegram, saying that more than 20 Russian drones struck residential areas and critical infrastructure.
Among the injured, several were hospitalized, with one victim in critical condition suffering burns on 90% of their body, the Kyiv Independent reported.
The assault also targeted railway infrastructure, according to Ukraine’s national railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia.
Since initiating its full-scale invasion, Russia has frequently deployed drones to strike multiple Ukrainian cities.
The frequency and scale of these drone assaults have escalated recently, with Russia launching between 150 and 200 drones in each offensive.
The assaults come after Donald Trump said that discussions on advancing peace “are very much on track.”
The White House said that Ukraine had agreed to go ahead with a limited truce with Russia, which will stop attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure for 30 days.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also signed up for the U.S. proposal but declined to back a wider ceasefire, which Ukraine agreed to.
Andriy Raykovych, the regional governor, reported the attack via Telegram, saying that more than 20 Russian drones struck residential areas and critical infrastructure.
Among the injured, several were hospitalized, with one victim in critical condition suffering burns on 90% of their body, the Kyiv Independent reported.
The assault also targeted railway infrastructure, according to Ukraine’s national railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia.
Since initiating its full-scale invasion, Russia has frequently deployed drones to strike multiple Ukrainian cities.
The frequency and scale of these drone assaults have escalated recently, with Russia launching between 150 and 200 drones in each offensive.
The assaults come after Donald Trump said that discussions on advancing peace “are very much on track.”
The White House said that Ukraine had agreed to go ahead with a limited truce with Russia, which will stop attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure for 30 days.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also signed up for the U.S. proposal but declined to back a wider ceasefire, which Ukraine agreed to.
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