 |
| AP Photo/Libkos |
One of the main operating bases for Russia’s strategic bomber fleet was attacked on Dec. 26 in an apparent drone strike. British military officials said it was the second such attack on the Engels air base within the past three weeks.
The base is located near the Russian city of Saratov, 500 miles southeast of Moscow.
The drone was shot down by local air defense forces, Roman Busargin, the regional governor, wrote on his Telegram social media page.
“As a result of falling fragments, the fence of a private house, a car and a garage were damaged,” Mr. Busargin said. “There were no other damages. People were not hurt.”
A similar attack occurred on Dec. 5 when explosions rocked the air base after a drone strike on bombers that the Kremlin has used in its attempt to cripple Ukraine’s power grid.
According to media reports, at least one Tu-95 was damaged in the Dec. 5 strike. It was the type of plane that has taken part in Russian missile strikes against Ukraine. --->READ MORE HERE
 |
| Photo:Planet Labs Inc. |
Russians were forced to significantly reduce their long-range aviation activity at Engels after explosions at the local airfield, according to satellite imagery, The Drive portal reported on Dec. 29.
“New satellite imagery of Engels Air Base, located deep within Russia, from December 29 shows that repeated Ukrainian attempts to strike the air base, as well as the arrival of cold weather conditions, appears to have led to a significant reduction in activity. Only 11 bombers are present, down from 26 on Nov. 29,” the assessment said.
“Recent snowfall at Engels also betrays the inactivity of some aircraft. While five Tu-95 Bears are visibly de-iced and parked on cleared aprons and taxiways, four others remain covered in snow. The two remaining Tu-160 Blackjack bombers appear covered in snow as well, though at least one of them shows signs of having its apron cleared of snow possibly to provide safe access to the taxiways. No clear damage is observed following alleged Ukrainian attacks against the facility on Dec. 26 and 29, but between reducing aircraft presence and installing new protective barriers, it appears Russia is trying to mitigate the persistent threat against its bombers deployed to the base,” The Drive wrote.
The Russians have used both types of aircraft in the war against Ukraine, especially in recent months, when they intensified their attacks on the energy infrastructure. However, these six bombers may now be unserviceable or have technical problems. --->READ MORE HEREFollow links below to +++++relevant+++++ and related stories:
+++++Russia-Ukraine News LATEST UPDATES: (REUTERS) (AP) (NY POST) and (WSJ)+++++
+++++Supporting Ukraine now means a safer future for the US+++++
+++++Ukrainian troops already liberate almost 1,900 settlements — President’s Office+++++
Ukrainian military downs 10 drones in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia oblasts
Colossal losses of Russian personnel and equipment recorded in Ukraine
Governor: Air defense shoots down all Russian drones in Kyiv Oblast
Russia attacks Ukraine with ‘kamikaze’ drones after barrage of missiles
General Staff: Large group of Russian soldiers killed near occupied Donetsk amid continued assault on region
Xi tells Putin that road to peace talks on Ukraine will not be smooth
Russia Launches Fresh Missile Barrage at Targets Across Ukraine
PM Shmyhal: Ukraine secures food supplies for 2023, receives over $31 billion financial supportive
NATO's Stoltenberg calls for more weapons for Ukraine - DPA
Air Force spokesman dismisses Russia's claim of never running out of missiles
Russia sends six cargo IL-76s to Belarus in past 13 hours
UK hands Ukraine more than 1,000 metal detectors, 100 bomb de-arming kits
Russian Army needs at least five years to recover from losses in Ukraine – Ukrainian Defence Minister
Bloomberg: US considers sending Bradley fighting vehicles to Ukraine
If you like what you see, please "Like" and/or Follow us on FACEBOOK here, GETTR here, and TWITTER here.
No comments:
Post a Comment