Ukraine war: Drone attack on Russian bomber base leaves three dead
- Published
53 minutes
ago
Image source, Maxar
Technologies/Handout via REUTERS
The Engels air base has been repeatedly used by Russia to carry out missile strikes on various targets in Ukraine
By Jaroslav Lukiv
BBC News
A Ukrainian drone attack on Engels bomber base in
south Russia has left three people dead, Moscow says.
Air defences reportedly shot down the drone but
falling debris caused the casualties in the overnight attack.
Earlier this month Russia accused Ukraine of a
similar attack on the airfield, home to strategic bombers that have taken part
in missile attacks on Ukraine.
The base lies about 500km (310 miles) north-east
of Ukraine's border.
The Ukrainian military has not officially
commented on the attacks but BBC Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg says the latest
incident will come as an embarrassment to Russian authorities.
Russia's defence ministry says its air defences
shot down the Ukrainian drone flying at low altitude at about 01:35 on Monday
(22:35 GMT Sunday).
Three Russian servicemen died of injuries caused
by drone debris, it adds.
Saratov governor Roman Busargin expressed his
condolences to the men's families and friends, and said there was
"absolutely no threat to residents" in the town of Engels itself.
Earlier, social media users posted videos where
what sound like blasts and air sirens can be heard at the Engels airfield.
In the previous reported attack on 5 December on
the airfield and another air base in the Ryazan region, three servicemen were
also killed by debris from a downed Ukrainian drone, Moscow said at the time.
Two aircraft were lightly damaged.
The Ukrainian military made no comment on the
reported attacks.
The Engels air base has been repeatedly used by
Russia to carry out missile strikes on various targets in Ukraine since Moscow
launched its full-scale invasion on 24 February.
The Kremlin has accused Ukraine of attacking its
territory before, but the alleged attacks in December are deeper into Russia
than previous ones.
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