By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-03-20 22:56:38 | Updated at 2025-04-06 09:48:44
2 weeks ago
A Ukrainian missile struck an airbase used by Russian strategic bombers 400 miles behind the front line yesterday, in one of the longest-range strikes of the conflict.
The Neptune cruise missile strike caused a fireball and huge explosions as Russian heavy ordnance 'cooked off'.
The blast was apparently so forceful it ripped roofs from houses in civilian areas surrounding the Engels-2 airbase in Saratov Oblast.
A huge billowing cloud lingered over the base for hours and was visible for 20 miles.
It was unclear last night whether any of the Russian Tu-95MS and Tu-160 strategic bombers based at Engels were wrecked – but the missiles they carry were destroyed.
The attack represents a major success for Ukraine as its recently upgraded Neptune missile system evaded Russian air defence systems – most likely due to a sophisticated radar jamming operation before the cruise missile was launched.
A Ukrainian subsonic cruise missile R-360 Neptune was launched towards a Russian airbase
Engels-2 airbase, home to Russia's nuclear bombers, was rocked by massive explosion
The strike was Ukraine's Ukraine's biggest drone strike on the Saratov region in Russia
