In the early hours of March 20, drones targeted the Saratov region. Explosions were heard near the Engels 2 military air base, where, according to footage, ammunition continues to detonate, sending a thick plume of smoke into the sky.

The Telegram channel Supernova+ shared the video of the incident.

It is reported that explosions in Engels have been ongoing since 04:00 AM. According to Astra, thick smoke has been visible in the 3rd Aviation Town neighborhood since the morning. This area is located 10 kilometers from the military airfield.

This is where Russian strategic bombers are based, which carry out missile strikes on Ukrainian territory.

It is also reported that residents of nearby buildings to the military airfield in Engels were allegedly evacuated following the UAV attack.

Previously, the region’s governor claimed that school lessons in Engels would be held remotely today.

The eyewitness video captures a massive fire, likely at the ammunition depot of the military airfield.

The footage also captured damaged buildings in a nearby settlement. These are likely the result of scattered munitions or the work of Russian air defense, which was attempting to shoot the drones down.

It is reported that the sounds of explosions during the drone attack, which was the largest since the beginning of the full-scale war, were also heard by residents of Saratov, located near Engels.

The Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) reported a temporary suspension of operations at the airports of Saratov and Samara.

The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that 54 Ukrainian drones were allegedly shot down over the Saratov region, and a total of 132 UAVs attacked Russia and temporarily occupied Crimea.

Drones have repeatedly struck the Russian city of Engels. It is home to the Engels-2 strategic bomber military air base. Russian Tu-95MS and Tu-160 strategic bombers are based there. The city also hosts an oil depot of the Kristall plant of the Federal Agency for State Reserves, which Ukrainian drones have already targeted this year.