A massive explosion rocked the Russian Engels strategic bomber base on Thursday following a drone attack by Ukraine, according to Russian officials and media reports. The incident, which took place approximately 700 km (435 miles) from the front lines of the war, resulted in a significant blast and fire that caused damage to nearby cottages.
Video footage shared on Russian Telegram channels depicted the aftermath of the explosion, with a plume of smoke rising above the damaged structures. The location of the video was confirmed by Reuters using satellite imagery, matching the position and shape of buildings and trees in the footage with that of the air base in Engels.
The base, home to Russia’s Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear-capable heavy strategic bombers, was targeted in the drone attack. The governor of Saratov, Roman Busargin, confirmed that there had been an attack on the city of Engels, resulting in a fire at the airfield and the evacuation of nearby residents. While he did not explicitly mention the Engels base, it is the primary airfield in the area.
The incident comes amidst escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with Russia claiming to have shot down 132 Ukrainian drones over its territory. The attack on the Engels base marks a significant escalation in the conflict, further intensifying the ongoing war between the two nations.
The aftermath of the explosion serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of the conflict, with civilians and military personnel alike facing the consequences of the escalating violence. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution to the conflict that will bring peace and stability to the region.
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Video “Huge explosion rocks Russian nuclear airbase after Ukraine attack” was uploaded on 03/20/2025 to Youtube Channel The Times and The Sunday Times