In a significant escalation of hostilities, Russian authorities have reported a massive Ukrainian drone attack on the Engels airbase located in Saratov Oblast. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have intercepted and downed 54 drones in the area during the overnight assault. This incident marks the most extensive UAV attack recorded to date in the region, as stated by Roman Busargin, the governor of Saratov region, via Telegram.
Busargin reported that the Engels airfield experienced a substantial fire as a result of the drone attack, leading to damage to approximately 30 houses in the vicinity. Additionally, windows were shattered at a nearby hospital, resulting in injuries to at least one woman. The destructive impact extended to local educational facilities, including two kindergartens and a school, as detailed by the governor.
Located over 465 miles from the Ukrainian border, the Engels airbase serves as a critical strategic bomber base for Russia. It has been the launch point for numerous long-range missile strikes throughout the ongoing three-year conflict. This airbase has faced multiple attacks from Ukraine, with the most recent incident occurring in January.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Counter-Disinformation Center associated with Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, shared a video on Telegram that purportedly depicts the attack, showing a fire raging in the darkness. However, ABC News has been unable to verify the authenticity of this footage.
In total, the Russian Defense Ministry reported downing 132 Ukrainian drones across seven Russian or Russian-controlled regions during the same timeframe. Meanwhile, Ukrainian sources reported a significant overnight bombardment from Russia targeting the central city of Kropyvnytskyi, with over 30 explosions recorded. The regional governor also noted a large-scale attack on the eastern city of Kupyansk, close to the front lines, where at least 20 bombs were dropped, resulting in one fatality and injuries to another individual.
Ukraine's air force reported that during the overnight attacks, Russia launched a total of 171 drones within Ukrainian territory, successfully shooting down 75 of them. Furthermore, 63 drones were lost in flight without causing any significant damage, impacting regions such as Kirovohrad, Sumy, and Donetsk.
This latest exchange of attacks occurred shortly after a discussion between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The two leaders agreed to a proposed 30-day ceasefire aimed at preventing strikes against energy and infrastructure targets, a plan also endorsed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. This partial ceasefire is seen as a potential stepping stone toward a more comprehensive peace agreement, as indicated by American officials.
President Trump described his conversation with Zelenskyy as "very good," emphasizing the importance of aligning the requests and needs of both Russia and Ukraine. However, long-range attacks persist despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. Andriy Yermak, head of Zelenskyy's office, shared a stark message on Telegram, illustrating the aftermath of the Russian attack on Kropyvnytskyi and criticizing Russia for targeting civilians.
As the conflict continues to escalate, the situation remains tense, with both sides engaging in attacks despite the recent discussions aimed at achieving peace.
