Russian Kh-101 and Kh-555 Missiles for Tu-95 and Tu-160 Destroyed in Ukrainian Strike on Engels Airbase

Ukraine’s Armed Forces confirmed a successful strike on Russia’s Engels Airbase in the Saratov region on the night of March 20, targeting a storage facility containing Kh-101 cruise missiles used by Russian bombers to attack Ukraine.

According to Ukraine’s General Staff, the operation was carried out by Special Operations Forces and the Security Service of Ukraine in coordination with other elements of Ukraine’s Defense Forces. Reports from the area indicate massive explosions, fires, and secondary detonations following the strike.

The Head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, Andrii Kovalenko, confirmed that the strike caused significant losses for the Russian military.

“At Engels, as a result of the strike, the Russians lost missiles, including Kh-101. The exact number will be determined later. This airbase stores the largest stockpile of missiles used by Russia’s strategic aviation for strikes against Ukraine,” Kovalenko stated.

Ukraine’s Armed Forces emphasized that they possess detailed intelligence on Russia’s strategic military sites and conduct operations in full compliance with international humanitarian law, taking measures to minimize risks to civilians while countering Russia’s ongoing aggression.

OSINT analysts have already pinpointed the exact location of the strike, near the Engels airbase. Some reports suggest the explosion occurred at an ammunition depot, while others speculate it may have been a fuel storage facility.

However, video evidence strongly indicates the destruction of an ammunition stockpile. Footage from the scene shows continued detonations of small-caliber rounds, likely aviation cannon shells, which would not be typical for a fuel fire.

Another video captured a massive explosion around 7 a.m., suggesting a delayed detonation of stored munitions, further supporting the theory that the strike hit an ammunition facility rather than fuel tanks.

Engels Airbase is home to Russia’s Tu-95MS and Tu-160 strategic bombers, operated by the 121st and 184th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiments of the Russian Air Force.

These bombers are used for launching Kh-101 and Kh-555 cruise missiles, which Russia has used extensively against Ukraine’s cities and infrastructure.

With the confirmed destruction of Kh-101 missiles at Engels, the strike could significantly impact Russia’s ability to conduct future missile attacks on Ukraine.

Earlier, a drone attack struck the “Kavkazskaya” oil transfer facility in Russia’s Krasnodar region, causing a large fire that continued burning for hours. The fire later spread and covered 3,750 square meters.