Ukraine launched a massive drone strike at a key Russian airbase on Thursday. The Ukrainian drones targeted the Engels Airbase in Saratov Oblast. The airbase is considered a strategic facility for Russian strategic bombers. On the other hand, the Russian Defence Ministry claimed that they brought down 54 drones over the area. 

While confirming the news on Telegram, Roman Busargin, the governor of Saratov region, wrote, “Saratov and Engels today suffered the most massive UAV attack of all time.”  He also reported that around 30 houses were damaged in the attack. 

Busargin further wrote that a woman sustained injuries after the window of a hospital blew up. 

The Ukrainian Army took responsibility for the drone attack, saying that the attack was carried out in collaboration with the Security Service of Ukraine and the country’s Special Operations Forces.

The attack is seen as a retaliation against Ukraine after the Russian forces reportedly launched nearly 200 “Shahed” drones and UAVs.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X, “Russian strikes on Ukraine do not stop, despite their propaganda claims. Every day and every night, nearly a hundred or more drones are launched, along with ongoing missile attacks. With each such launch, the Russians expose to the world their true attitude towards peace.

Yet always—even under the most difficult conditions—our people can count on the immediate support of the State Emergency Service personnel, police officers, medics, utility workers, and all those who help to clear the rubble, extinguish fires, restore the destroyed, and most importantly, save and protect lives. 

Last night, the Russians launched nearly 200 “Shahed” drones and decoy UAVs. A massive attack on the Kirovohrad region left 10 people wounded, including four children, and caused damage to homes, a church, and infrastructure.”