Strike on Engels likely aimed at disrupting Russia's massive missile attack on Ukraine - Defense Express

He expressed this opinion on the air of Espreso.

"Publicly available information indicates that one Tu-95MS strategic bomber requires more than 77 tons of fuel. In essence, a single bomber consumes fuel equivalent to what a tank battalion might use for one attack. This is not an exaggeration," Kyrychevskyi explained.

The expert noted that the destruction of the oil depot in Engels could indeed thwart Russian plans, as bombers require a significant amount of fuel.

"According to information disseminated by Russian monitoring channels, several Tu-95MS bombers were reportedly stationed at the Engels airbase, prepared for a missile attack on Ukrainian territory. Unfortunately, it is impossible to confirm or refute this information based on satellite images. 

The strike on the oil depot in Engels was not symbolic but countered our undue pessimism. Leading up to December 31, there was much talk of Russians attacking Ukraine on New Year’s Eve. The opposite happened: Ukraine struck Russian strategic aviation. I am inclined to believe that the strike on the oil depot in Engels was an attempt to disrupt a Russian strategic aviation strike on Ukrainian territory," he added.

• In the early hours of January 8, the Russian city of Engels in the Saratov region reported a drone attack. Defense Forces of Ukraine struck a Russian oil depot.