Satellite images show heavy damage at Russian air base

The Engels-2 base, located in Saratov Oblast, is one of Russia's key locations for deploying long-range strategic bombers.

Images taken on March 21 show large craters in the area where missile storage facilities used to be. Many buildings were completely destroyed, while others suffered severe roof and structural damage.

Satellite imagery shows signs of significant damage. Photo: Maxar Technologies

Engels base has long been a hub for Tu-160 and Tu-95MS bombers, two types of aircraft regularly used by Russia to launch Kh-101 and Kh-555 cruise missiles at targets in Ukraine.

According to Ukrainian sources, the attack was carried out by an An-196 Liutyi attack UAV. In addition to the missile storage area, the attack may have also targeted a pre-launch preparation facility for Russian air-launched cruise missiles.

The extent of the damage, visible from space, underscores the increasing range and accuracy of Ukraine’s long-range UAV systems. The Engels-2 base has been used to coordinate missile strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure on several occasions, making it a valuable military target.

Open source analysts said the warehouse area attacked in the incident contained containers containing Kh-101/Kh-555 missiles, weapons that Russia has frequently used to attack Ukrainian cities and energy facilities throughout the war.

Russia has not publicly acknowledged the extent of the damage, but local reports and videos from the scene show secondary explosions and emergency operations taking place near the base.

The Engels-2 air base remains one of the most important facilities for Russia’s strategic air force. Any loss of infrastructure there could disrupt Moscow’s missile launches and military logistics chains.

Cao Phong (according to MT, DB, AJ)