Three Dead as Ukrainian UAV Shot down over Russia’s Engels Air Base

Russian air defense troops destroyed a Ukrainian drone on Dec.26 as it approached Engel’s air base in southern Saratov region.

Three people died after being struck by debris, Russian news agencies reported citing the defense ministry.

It was the second attack on the Engels base this month. On Dec. 5, Ukrainian drones reportedly caused explosions at the Engels airfield and another base in the Ryazan region. Engels lies over 600km from Ukraine and hosts many bombers including Tu-160s. The base has a 3,500m (11,500 ft) runway and about 10 large revetments.

The base is home to the 121st Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment with the Tu-160M and 184th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment with the Tu-95MS of the 22nd Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Division.

Saratov governor Roman Busargin said there was "no threat" to local residents, and added that no civilian infrastructure had been damaged.

Russia blamed Ukraine for a "massive" drone strike on its Black Sea Fleet in late October in the Crimean port city of Sevastopol.

About 70 Iran-made Russian drones eliminated: Ukraine

Spokesperson for the Air Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yurii Ihnat has claimed that Ukraine’s anti-aircraft defense units have destroyed about 70 Shahed drones from the second UAV shipment that Russia received from Iran. This was for the period between December 1, 2022 and December 20, 2022.