Russian Oil Depot Used by Putin's Nuclear Bombers on Fire After Drone Raid

A huge fire has broken out near the Engels air base base in southern Russia after a drone attack, according to a local official, Russian sources and the Ukrainian military.

Roman Busargin, the governor of Russia's Saratov region, said early on Wednesday that there had been "damage" to an unspecified industrial building near the base, which houses nuclear-capable bombers. Several Russian independent and state-linked sources on Telegram reported a large fire at an oil depot close to the base.

Newsweek has contacted the Russian Ministry of Defense by email for comment.

Why It Matters

Ukraine has doggedly targeted Russian oil facilities it says are propping up Moscow's war effort. Kyiv has also repeatedly attacked the Engels air base, also known as Engels-2.

The Engels-2 air base houses Russian Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bombers, which have launched missile strikes on Ukraine throughout the nearly three years of full-scale war. The bombers are part of Russia's long-range aviation forces, capable of carrying out nuclear and conventional long-range strikes.

Engels-2 is around 300 miles from the Ukrainian border, deep in Russian territory.

What To Know

Busargin said early on Wednesday that Saratov and Engels came under a "massive" drone attack overnight.

Ukraine's military said on Wednesday that it had hit a Russian oil facility in Engels, causing a "number of explosions" and a "massive fire."

Ukraine's General Staff said in a brief statement that the Engels oil facility provides fuel to the military airfield and Russia's strategic bombers stationed there. The full extent of the damage is not yet clear, Kyiv said.

The military said the operation was carried out by Ukrainian intelligence and drone crews, with assistance from "other components" of the armed forces.

Targeting oil bases creates "serious logistical problems" for Russia's long-range bombers and "significantly reduces their ability to strike peaceful Ukrainian cities and civilian objects," the General Staff said.

Moscow's Defense Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that it had intercepted 32 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 11 over the Saratov region, but did not report any damage.

Mash, a Russian Telegram channel thought to have links to Russian law enforcement, published footage purportedly showing a drone flying toward Engels overnight, which could not be independently verified. The channel reported local residents had heard "at least 30 explosions."

Russian independent outlet Astra said it had geolocated footage of the blaze to an oil storage facility in Engels. Newsweek could not independently verify this.

Ukrainian media reported the oil depot belongs to Russia's federal reserves agency, responsible for storing fuel for the Engels air base.

Who Said What

Saratov regional governor, Roman Busargin, on Telegram on Wednesday: "Saratov and Engels were subjected to a massive UAV attack last night. Thank you to our military for ensuring safety. There is damage to one of the industrial enterprises."

Russian Defense Ministry on Telegram on Wednesday: "Over the course of the past night, air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 32 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles. 11 UAVs were destroyed over the territory of the Saratov Region."

What Happens Next

At the time of writing, Russian Telegram reports suggested the fire was still ongoing at the facility with emergency services on the scene. Ukraine, which has been successful in its high-profile targeting of Russian air bases and oil depots, will very likely continue on with its campaign of trying to cut off Moscow's resources on its own soil.

Update 1/8/2025 at 5:15 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.