Ukraine reportedly targets airbase in Russia’s Saratov region in area’s ‘most massive’ drone attack to date

The Russian cities of Saratov and Engels came under their “most massive” drone attack so far on Wednesday night, according to Saratov Governor Roman Busargin.

Busargin said that Ukrainian drones shattered windows at a hospital in Engels, as well as in two kindergartens and a school. Two people were reportedly injured in the city, including a woman who was in the hospital at the time.

According to the Telegram channel Astra, residents of Engels saw heavy smoke rising from a residential area about 10 kilometers (six miles) from the Engels-2 military airbase. Busargin confirmed that a fire broke out at the airbase following a drone attack and said residents of nearby homes were being evacuated.

The Telegram channels Mash and Engels Online reported that Ukrainian drones targeted an oil depot in Engels, where a fire broke out after drone debris fell. In addition, around 30 private homes and dachas were damaged in the attack, according to Busargin. Local social media pages also reported that a sanatorium was hit.

Following the attack, schools in Engels were moved to remote learning, Busargin said.

In Saratov, Busargin stated that falling drone debris damaged a private home in the Sokolovaya Gora area, though no injuries were reported. According to the local news site Vzglyad-Info, a fire broke out at the scene but was quickly extinguished by emergency responders.

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that air defense forces shot down 132 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 54 over Saratov region. Drones were also downed in Voronezh region (40), Belgorod (22), Rostov (nine), Kursk (three), and Lipetsk (one). Additionally, three drones were reportedly intercepted over annexed Crimea.

Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency reported that temporary flight restrictions were imposed overnight at the Saratov and Samara airports.