Long-range drones from Ukraine's Special Operations Center "A" struck the Engels-2 airbase in Russia's Saratov region overnight into Aug. 28. Satellite imagery confirmed a Tu-95MS strategic bomber suffered serious wing damage.
Overnight into Aug. 28, drones operated by Ukraine's Special Operations Center "A" struck the Engels-2 airbase in Russia's Saratov region. Satellite imagery from the analyst group AviVector confirmed the strike's success: a Tu-95MS strategic bomber sustained serious damage to its right wing — part of it broke off entirely.
Analysts say the damage is severe enough that the bomber is likely beyond repair — serial production of the Tu-95 ended decades ago, making replacement parts scarce. Engels-2 hosts Tu-95MS and Tu-160 strategic bombers that Russia regularly uses to launch Kh-101 cruise missiles at Ukrainian cities, so every aircraft taken out of action directly cuts into that capability.
This is not the first successful Ukrainian strike on Engels-2 — a similar Center "A" operation in July of the same year damaged the tail section of another Tu-95MS at the same base. Besides the bombers, the airfield also holds ammunition depots, fuel storage and maintenance facilities, making it a recurring target for Ukraine's deep-strike campaign.
Every such successful strike deep inside Russia means one fewer bomber able to fly against Ukrainian cities. Volunteers Support Ukraine helps families affected by missile and drone attacks every day, in whatever way its available resources allow.
