An airfield near a Russian strategic bomber base was engulfed in flames following a significant Ukrainian drone attack in southern Russia, according to Russian officials and state media.

The base in Engels, located approximately 700 km from the front lines in Ukraine, is home to Russia's Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear-capable heavy strategic bombers.

Roman Busargin, the governor of Saratov, reported a Ukrainian drone attack on the town of Engels that resulted in the airfield being set ablaze, prompting the evacuation of nearby residents. While he did not specifically mention the Engels base, it is the primary airfield in the region.

Unverified footage circulating on Russian Telegram channels showed a plume of black smoke rising from residential areas, accompanied by what appeared to be a major fire lighting up the dawn sky.

Russia's defense ministry stated that air defenses had intercepted 132 Ukrainian drones across six regions in southern Russia, including 54 in the Saratov region where the Engels base is situated.