Recent satellite images from Maxar Technologies have unveiled significant damage at a missile storage facility within Russia’s Engels-2 airbase, following a recent drone strike by Ukraine.
Situated in the Saratov region of Russia, this airbase is a crucial launch point for the Kremlin’s long-range strategic bombers.
Images captured on March 21 depict numerous large blast craters where missile storage buildings previously existed. Some structures appear entirely destroyed, while others exhibit severe roof and structural damage. The Engels base has been a central hub for Tu-160 and Tu-95MS bombers, which are often deployed to launch Kh-101 and Kh-555 cruise missiles at Ukrainian targets.
Ukrainian sources indicate that the strike was executed using An-196 Liutyi strike drones. The attack reportedly aimed not only at the missile storage area but also at a facility for pre-launch preparations of Russia’s air-launched cruise missiles.
The visible damage from space highlights the growing capability and precision of Ukraine’s long-range unmanned aerial systems. The Engels-2 base has been consistently utilized to coordinate long-range missile operations against Ukrainian infrastructure, marking it as a significant military target.
Open-source analysts have pointed out that the specific storage areas affected in this strike contained containers for Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles, which have been regularly used in Russian assaults on Ukrainian cities and energy facilities throughout the conflict.
While Russia has not officially acknowledged the full extent of the damage, local reports and videos from the vicinity indicate secondary explosions and emergency response efforts near the base.
The Engels-2 airfield remains one of Russia’s most vital strategic aviation installations. Any damage to its infrastructure could hinder future missile launches and logistical operations.
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