UPD: TASS, citing the authorities of the Saratov region, reported that the number of injured increased to ten people.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed that as a result of a successful drone attack by the SBU and Special Operations Forces in the area of the airfield in Engels, a fire, explosions, and secondary detonation of ammunition were recorded.
RBC-Ukraine, citing a source in the General Staff, reported that Russian air defense systems were ineffective and hit civilian buildings and infrastructure in the cities of Engels and Saratov.
Ukrainian drones attacked the Saratov region at night, explosions were heard in Saratov and Engels. The governor of the region, Roman Busargin, stated that Engels was subjected to the most massive attack since the beginning of the war. According to him, after the drone raid on the military airfield "Engels-2", where strategic aviation, particularly Tu-95MS and Tu-160, is based, a fire started. "For safety reasons, due to the fire on the airfield territory, evacuation of residents in the nearby areas is being carried out. All emergency services are on site," wrote Busargin on the Telegram channel.
As Astra* writes, thick smoke rising above the airfield is visible from the "3rd Flight Town" microdistrict, which is located 10 km from the military facility. According to local publications, Ukrainian drones also attacked an oil depot in Engels. After debris fell on it, a fire broke out. This could be the base of the "Kristall" plant, where fuel for strategic bombers is stored. In January, there was already a fire at this oil depot, which was extinguished in five days.
In the city, due to falling debris, Clinical Hospital No. 1 was damaged, windows were blown out, and the oxygen pipeline was damaged, injuring two people. About 30 houses in the private sector were damaged. Two kindergartens and a school were damaged. The city authorities decided to conduct all school classes remotely.
In Saratov, a private residential house in the Sokolovaya Gora area reportedly burned down following the drone attack, according to local residents. "When the UAV debris fell, there was damage to a private house in the Sokolovaya Gora area. No injuries," confirmed the head of the region.
The airports of Saratov and Samara temporarily suspended operations, reported Rosaviatsiya.
The Ministry of Defense reported 132 drones shot down. "54 UAVs over the territory of the Saratov region, 40 UAVs over the territory of the Voronezh region, 22 UAVs over the territory of the Belgorod region, nine UAVs over the territory of the Rostov region, three UAVs each over the territories of the Kursk region and the Republic of Crimea, one UAV over the territory of the Lipetsk region."
* Recognized in Russia as a "foreign agent".
Photo: Astra