While Russia spent the night of June 6 bombarding Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, military targets were burning on its own territory. Drones struck the strategically important airbase in Engels, home to bombers used in attacks on Ukraine.
Local residents reported explosions, air defense activity, and fires. Russian media admitted that “several targets” were shot down, but eyewitnesses confirmed direct hits.
According to Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, drones also hit an oil depot in Engels, the Dyagilevo airbase, and the Progress defense plant in Michurinsk, Tambov Oblast.
Kovalenko stated that the Progress plant is one of the key enterprises in Russia’s military-industrial complex, and its destruction represents a significant blow to the country’s defense production.
“This is where Russia gets the components that power its missile and artillery systems,” he emphasized.
The Progress plant specializes in producing high-precision electronic equipment – particularly systems for targeting, stabilization, and fire control for artillery and multiple launch rocket systems. It also develops components for automated command and control systems, which are critical for modern combat operations.
“Particular attention should be paid to Progress’s cooperation with other Russian defense enterprises – it is a key supplier for Rostec and Techmash,” he added.
“Through facilities like this, Russia maintains serial production of Hyacinth, Msta, Tornado, and even components for Iskander missiles.”
In Kovalenko’s view, a strike on such a facility could seriously disrupt Russia’s ability to manufacture the weapons it uses to bombard Ukrainian cities.
Three people were injured in the attack, according to Governor Yevgeny Pervyshov.
Meanwhile, in the city of Engels, debris from one of the drones fell onto a residential high-rise in the Oblaka apartment complex. Eyewitnesses reported a fire on one of the balconies, shattered windows, and damaged glass on several floors. Emergency crews are working at the scene.
Residents of Saratov also reported a series of explosions. Saratov region governor Roman Busargin officially confirmed the drone attack and introduced a state of emergency.
Around 2:20 a.m., locals heard multiple blasts, and earlier had heard the buzzing of drones overhead. Sirens and sounds resembling gunfire – likely from air defense systems – were heard across the region.
At Saratov’s Gagarin International Airport, all flights were temporarily suspended following the drone attacks, and an emergency response protocol was activated. Russia’s aviation authority confirmed the airport is not accepting or dispatching any aircraft, and that crews are operating under heightened security.
At the same time, Russia was actively launching dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones at civilian targets across Ukraine.
Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack across Ukraine early Friday, June 6, killing at least four people and injuring 20 in the capital, Kyiv, as strikes hit cities and regions with a mix of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, Kalibr missiles, and dozens of drones.
The strike came less than two days after Russian leader Vladimir Putin told US President Donald Trump in a phone call that Russia would retaliate for Ukrainian attacks on the airbases deep inside Russia, which damaged aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons and angered Moscow.
Explosions were first reported shortly after midnight in the capital, where Kyiv Post correspondents said air defense systems were active. Residents heard a mix of sounds – from drones being intercepted to direct hits by ballistic missiles.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, three of the four victims were firefighters from the State Emergency Service who died in the line of duty while responding to the attack. Search and rescue operations are continuing.