The explosions at two Russian airfields in Saratov and Ryazan regions were caused by a drone attack launched from Ukraine, the New York Times reports, citing an anonymous Ukrainian official and the Russian Defence Ministry.
According to journalists, at least one of the strikes was coordinated by special forces directly near the air base.
“The drones were launched from Ukrainian territory, and at least one of the strikes was made with the help of special forces close to the base who helped guide the drones to the target, said the official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to convey sensitive information,” the journalists said.
They believe that the strikes signalled a new willingness by Kyiv to take the fight to bases in the heart of Russia, raising the stakes in the war, and demonstrated for the first time Ukraine’s ability to attack at such long distances. Shortly after the attacks on the bases, Russia sent a barrage of missiles streaking toward Ukrainian cities.
Russia claims that the attacks were carried out by two Soviet-made UAVs and that its air defences allegedly destroyed them. At the same time, it claimed the death of three soldiers and the wounding of four others (Ryazan) and "minor damage" to two aircraft (Engels).
Yesterday morning there were explosions at the Engels airbase in Saratov Region and an airfield near Ryazan. At Engels, located 700 kilometres from Ukraine, two bombers were damaged. Three Russian servicemen were killed and four wounded in the explosion at the airfield near Ryazan. Satellite images show a hit near one of the planes.
According to the British Ministry of Defence, Russia may regard these explosions as one of the main strategic failures to protect its facilities during a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.