Ukrainian drones strike key fuel depot in Russian heartland
Ukrainian drones attacked a fuel depot in the city of Engels in the Saratov region of western Russia. According to independent Russian channels, this depot stores aviation fuel for the strategic aviation base in the city.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that its air defenses shot down 32 Ukrainian drones overnight. The majority—11 drones—were downed over the Saratov region.
Reports suggest four drones were shot down over the Kursk and Rostov regions, three over the Belgorod and Bryansk regions, two over the Krasnodar Territory, one over the Volgograd region, and four over the waters of the Sea of Azov.
The governor of the Saratov region, Roman Busargin, acknowledged that "drone debris damaged one of the enterprises in the city of Engels." This is where the Russian strategic aviation base is located, which has been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainians in the past.
Attack on the fuel base for the "Bears"?
Previously, the Russian strategic bomber Tu-95 (NATO codename "Bear") was stationed at this base. After several attacks on this airfield, including damage to at least one "Bear," the Russians are believed to have moved these aircraft to the Olenja base beyond the Arctic Circle.
The governor could not hide the fact that the city was attacked. Residents reported loud explosions on their Telegram channels. He also couldn't conceal that the attack resulted in a massive fire. However, he did not confirm that the target was the aviation fuel depot used by the nearby Russian airbase.
Despite this, residents and independent Russian channels, such as Astra or BAZA, reported on what was burning. Geolocation confirmed that the fire involved fuel depots for the airbase.
The drone attack occurred around 2 AM Eastern Time. By 9 AM, despite firefighters' efforts, the fire at the base continued, with a column of dark smoke rising over the city.
Source: TG, pravda.com.ua, ria.ru
