A Russian air base used to launch rocket attacks in Ukraine has been hit by a drone strike, causing a large explosion and damage to two strategic bombers.
The TU-95 aircraft, known as Bears, form the backbone of Russia’s long-range air strike nuclear forces.
Video footage released by an adviser to Ukraine’s internal affairs minister shows an explosion at 6:04 a.m. at the Engels air base, about 875 km southeast of Moscow.
“Two TU-95 aircraft allegedly damaged after a drone attack on a Russian airbase Engels, Saratov region,” said Anton Gerashchenko.
“Engels Air Base is one of the take-off sites for Russian planes launching rockets into Ukraine,” he said.
News of the attack comes after reports of a tanker truck exploding at a Russian airfield near the city of Ryazan, killing three people and injuring six.
Ukraine has not claimed any incident.