Ukraine strikes Russian strategic bomber airfield, triggering huge blast

[Ellipsis]

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-attacked-airfield-near-engels-strategic-bomber-base-russian-officials-2025-03-20/

Videos verified by Reuters showed a huge blast spreading out from the airfield, wrecking nearby cottages. Russia's defence ministry said air defences had shot down 132 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions.

Other verified videos showed a giant plume of smoke rising into the dawn sky and an intense fire.
The base in Engels, which dates back to Soviet times, hosts Russia's Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear-capable heavy strategic bombers, known unofficially as White Swans.

Roman Busargin, governor of Saratov, said there had been a Ukrainian drone attack on the city of Engels that had left an airfield on fire, and that nearby residents had been evacuated. He did not specifically mention the Engels base, but it is the main airfield in the area.

[PortTack]

1. SLAVA UKRAINE!

[calimary]

7. Totally!!!

[tavernier]

2. White Swan now

Black Swan.

[yagotme]

3. Burnt-to-a-crisp swan, lol. nt

[William769]

4. K&R

[Torchlight]

5. Worse (or maybe just typical) for Moscow FAC,

Russian air defenses were ineffective and launched missiles toward civilian buildings and infrastructure in Engels and Saratov.

[NJCher]

6. I say "typical"

They are as competent as dump.

[orangecrush]

8. Slava! Get some!

[Ellipsis]

9. kick