On March 19, 2025, a significant explosion occurred at Russia’s Engels-2 air base in the Saratov region, approximately 700 kilometers from the front lines. The blast resulted from a Ukrainian drone attack targeting the base, which houses strategic bombers like the Tu-95 and Tu-160. The explosion caused a massive fire and a thick black mushroom cloud, leading local authorities to declare a state of emergency and evacuate nearby residents.
The attack damaged residential homes and essential infrastructure, including kindergartens, a school, and a hospital, injuring at least one person. Russian officials reported shooting down 132 Ukrainian drones in the area, highlighting the scale of the assault.
This incident marks the third attack on the Engels-2 base within a year, underscoring the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In response, Russia launched over 200 drone and missile strikes on central Ukraine, causing multiple explosions and injuries in Kropyvnytskyi.
