Ukrainian Drone Strike Triggers Large Explosion at Russia’s Engels Air Base
Ukraine struck Russia’s Engels Air Base on Thursday with drones, causing a massive explosion and fire at the bomber facility, about 700 km (435 miles) from the front lines. The attack comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a temporary ceasefire on energy infrastructure.
Engels Air Base, home to Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers, has been repeatedly hit by Ukraine. The Ukrainian military claimed responsibility for the attack stating that the operation was conducted in coordination with the Security Service of Ukraine and the country’s Special Operations Forces.
“Fire, explosions and secondary detonation of ammunition were recorded in the area of the airport,” it said.
Andriy Kovalenko, of Ukraine’s Counter-Disinformation Center, said the strike destroyed Kh-101 missile stockpiles.
Photos and videos circulating on social media showed the blast damaging nearby houses. Saratov Governor Roman Busargin reported damage to 30 homes, a hospital, two kindergartens, and a school. One woman was injured.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it shot down 132 Ukrainian drones across seven Russian or Russian-controlled regions from Wednesday night to Thursday morning.
Russia has also carried out airstrikes on Ukraine, targeting Kirovohrad Oblast. The attack wounded 10 people and damaged homes and a church, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia deployed 171 drones, of which 75 were shot down and 63 failed mid-flight. In addition to Kirovohrad, the Sumy and Donetsk regions were also affected by the attack, according to the air force.
On Wednesday, Russia announced that Putin agreed to a 30-day ceasefire on Ukrainian energy infrastructure following a phone call with the U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement would also include a prisoner exchange involving 175 captives from each side, according to Russia.
The White House, in an official readout of the conversation between Trump and Putin stated that the ceasefire framework extends beyond energy infrastructure, encompassing “technical negotiations on the implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, a full ceasefire, and permanent peace.” It further noted that these negotiations would commence immediately in the Middle East.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that he and Putin had agreed to the ceasefire with the understanding that “we will work swiftly toward a complete ceasefire and, ultimately, an end to this devastating war between Russia and Ukraine.”
