Ukraine’s General Staff confirms strike on Engels airfield in Russia’s Saratov region

Ukraine’s General Staff reported the information.

A fire, explosions, and secondary detonation of ammunition were observed near the airfield. The General Staff emphasized that Russian aviation utilizes this military facility, particularly to launch missile strikes on Ukraine and carry out terrorist attacks against civilians.

“The Ukrainian Defense Forces have detailed information about the strategic assets of the Russian occupiers, adhere to international humanitarian law, and take steps to ensure the safety of the civilian population while halting the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine,” the General Staff stated.

Earlier, the governor of the Saratov region, Roman Busargin, reported on the attack.

Initially, he said the Russian Defense Ministry had reported a supposed UAV threat.

Around 5 a.m., Busargin wrote that windows were allegedly shattered at Engels City Clinical Hospital due to the drone attack. He claimed that a woman was injured.

"Also, when UAV fragments fell, a private house in the Sokolovaya Gora area was damaged," he added.

At 5:45 a.m., Rosaviatsia announced temporary restrictions on arrivals and departures at Kurumoch Airport in Samara and Gagarin Airport in Saratov.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that on the night of March 20, air defense forces allegedly destroyed 132 drones, including:

• 54 UAVs over Saratov region
• 40 UAVs over Voronezh region
• 22 UAVs over Belgorod region
• 9 UAVs over Rostov region
• 3 UAVs each over Kursk region and occupied Crimea
• 1 UAV over Lipetsk region

In the morning, Busargin confirmed a fire at the Engels airfield. Russian authorities also announced an evacuation.

"For safety reasons, due to the fire at the airfield, residents of the area near the SNT facility are being evacuated. All emergency services are on site," the statement said.

What does Ukraine say?

According to Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, Russia lost missiles at the Engels airfield. The exact number is still being determined.

"As a result of the strike on Engels, the Russians lost missiles, including Kh-101s. The number will become clear later," Kovalenko said.

He emphasized that this airfield stores the largest stockpile of missiles used by Russian strategic aviation to strike Ukraine.

• On the night of January 8, a drone attack was also reported in Engels. Ukrainian defense forces struck the Russian oil depot at the Kristall Complex.