Ukraine’s Defense Forces destroyed 96 air-launched cruise missiles in a drone strike on the Engels-2 airbase of the Russian Aerospace Forces on March 20, 2025.
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the destruction was partly due to a secondary detonation, significantly impacting Russia’s missile stockpile.
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“These missiles were intended for three planned strikes in March and April 2025,” the General Staff said.
Additionally, the strike targeted aviation fuel storage sites, wiping out significant reserves. The General Staff said this has negatively affected Russia’s ability to sustain combat operations.
Kyiv Post sources within Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed that the Engels airbase attack on March 20 was carried out by SBU and Special Operations Forces drones.
“The SBU and its partners continue to work with surgical accuracy on key military facilities of the Russian Federation, which are absolutely legitimate military targets,” the source in the SBU told Kyiv Post.
“Such special operations reduce the enemy’s ability to terrorize Ukrainian cities with missile strikes,” they added.
The Engels airbase in Saratov Oblast, home to Tu-160 and Tu-95MS strategic bombers used against Ukraine, suffered its largest drone attack since Russia’s full-scale invasion. The airfield is 614 km from Ukraine’s border.
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Saratov Governor Roman Busargin confirmed a fire at the airfield and damage to about 30 homes, a hospital, two kindergartens, and a school. Local media reported shattered hospital windows.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed air defenses downed 132 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 54 in Saratov Oblast. Flights at Saratov and Samara airports were briefly restricted.
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