**Explosions Rock Engels in Russia’s Saratov Oblast Amid Reported Drone Attack**
A series of explosions and fires were reported in the Russian city of Engels, located in the Saratov Oblast region, on June 6. The incidents are believed to be the result of a drone attack, according to Russian officials and media outlets.
Engels is situated approximately 600 kilometers (370 miles) from the front lines in Ukraine. The city is home to the Engels-2 military airfield, which has been targeted by Ukrainian strikes on several occasions. In addition, an oil refinery is also located in the area, having previously been hit by a Ukrainian attack.
Residents of Engels shared footage of major fires breaking out in the city following the drone attack. Locals reported that the refinery was under attack and that a residential building had been hit. Saratov Oblast Governor Roman Busargin claimed that drones caused damage to a residential building, but fortunately, there were no casualties.
However, the Kyiv Independent could not confirm these claims. The reported drone attack comes after a series of major Ukrainian strikes against military targets inside Russia. These attacks include Operation Spiderweb, a daring mass drone attack that damaged 41 Russian heavy bombers at four key airfields throughout the country.
In recent days, Ukraine has also carried out strikes against Russia’s Crimean Bridge, a military base in Vladivostok, and a missile base in Bryansk Oblast. The Engels-2 base has been a frequent target of Ukrainian strikes since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The airfield houses three types of strategic bombers regularly used in missile attacks on Ukraine.
The attack against the air base on March 20 destroyed 96 air-launched cruise missiles, according to Ukraine’s General Staff. This latest incident highlights the ongoing escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides engaging in a cat-and-mouse game of military strikes and counter-strikes.
**Read More** @ kyivindependent.com
