Ukrainian drone attack exposes vulnerability of Russian bomber base
In the early morning of March 20, a drone attack occurred near the Russian Engels 2 air base in the Saratov region. This base is home to many Russian long-range strategic bombers. We explain what the Ukrainians might have used to carry out this strike.
The Ukrainian military service reports that explosions began at approximately 9:00 PM Eastern Time. About 6 miles from the base, thick smoke was visible. This area hosts the Russian strategic bombers used for missile attacks on Ukraine. Following the attack, residents of nearby buildings were evacuated.
The sounds of explosions were also heard in Saratov, making this attack one of the largest since the beginning of the war, notes the Ukrainian military service. The Russian defense ministry claims it shot down 54 Ukrainian drones, and in total, 132 drones attacked Russia and Crimea. It also mentions that Engels 2 air base has been a target of drone attacks before. Tu-95MS bombers and Tu-160 bombers are stationed there. The city also contains an oil depot, which has also been a target of attacks.
Ukrainian long-range drones
At this moment, it is still unknown which drones were used in the attack, but it's worth recalling the long-range machines in Ukraine's arsenal. Most of them are regularly used for strikes on enemy territory.
Since the beginning of the armed conflict, Ukraine has been intensively developing various drones to meet the needs of its armed forces. Among these devices are long-range kamikaze drones. The Ukrainian army also possesses older, modified models that can cover substantial distances and penetrate Russian air defenses. These include the Tu-141 "Strizh" UAV, the UJ-22 "Airborne" drone, the Bóbr drone, and the Rubaka drone.
The Tu-141 "Strizh" is a Soviet-era unmanned reconnaissance aircraft developed in the 1960s by the Tupolev design bureau. It measures about 47 feet in length and has a wingspan of 13 feet. Equipped with a Tumansky KR-17A turbojet engine producing 4,406 pounds of thrust, it reaches a maximum speed of 684 mph, an operational range of up to 621 miles, and an altitude of 19,685 feet. Initially, it served reconnaissance missions, carrying cameras, radars, and infrared equipment. Ukraine has adapted some of these drones to carry explosive payloads, making them hazardous weapons.
The UJ-22 "Airborne" drone, produced by Ukrjet, can also breach Russian air defenses. Evidence has previously emerged of these UAVs flying over Russian territory. Its range is up to 497 miles, and its cruising speed is approximately 75-99 mph. Thanks to its modular design, this drone can be equipped with various observational systems and weaponry.
On the other hand, the Rubaka is a kamikaze drone in the category of loitering munitions. Although its specifications are still unknown, reports indicate that it has a range of 310 miles, allowing it to destroy distant ground targets, including enemy forces and strategic infrastructure. The specifications of the Bóbr drones are also not well-known; however, these devices pose a serious threat to Russian military equipment, as they can cover distances of 497-621 miles. Recently, Ukraine also reported successfully testing a new drone with a range of 1,864 miles.
Strategic Russian bomber
The Tu-95MS, known as the "Bear" in the West, is a machine that, despite its age, still commands respect. It is characterized by four powerful Kuznetsov NK-12 turboprop engines driving unique, counter-rotating propellers. These engines enable the bomber to reach a speed of approximately 515 mph, and its operational range exceeds 7,456 miles. Though the aircraft's construction dates back to the 1950s, it has been repeatedly modernized, especially regarding avionics and armaments.
The Tu-95MS is adapted to carry Kh-55 cruise missiles (NATO designation: AS-15 Kent) with a range of over 1,553 miles and their newer versions – Kh-101 and Kh-102. The latter, featuring stealth technology, allows attacking targets deep within enemy territory from a safe distance.
The Tu-160, also known as the "White Swan," is a much more modern design. NATO codenames it "Blackjack." It is the largest and fastest supersonic bomber in the world. Four NK-32 engines power it, enabling it to reach speeds of up to Mach 2.2 and cover a distance of up to 8,699 miles without refueling.
The machine features variable-sweep wings, providing high flexibility at high and lower altitudes. Its main advantage is the ability to carry strategic cruise missiles, such as the Kh-101 and Kh-102, as well as free-fall bombs, both conventional and nuclear. The onboard systems of the Tu-160 have been modernized under the Tu-160M program, enhancing their resistance to electronic warfare measures and improving combat capabilities.
The Engels base is home to these machines and symbolizes Russia's deterrence strategy based on the nuclear triad. Bombers regularly take off from it to perform patrol flights over the Arctic, the Black Sea, and NATO territories. Engels also has strategic logistical importance—it is one of the few centers in Russia equipped with extensive technical infrastructure and aircraft shelters adapted to service such classes of bombers.
The Ukrainian drone attacks on the Engels base have shown how essential and simultaneously vulnerable this point is on the Russian military map. Any loss or damage to the machines stationed there severely blows Russia’s prestige and actual capabilities in conducting long-range operations.
