Key Points
– Explosions reported at Russian air bases hundreds of miles from Ukraine
– Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility for the attacks
– Russia has not acknowledged any damage or casualties
Explosions were reported at two air bases deep inside Russia on Monday, hundreds of miles from the Ukrainian border, in what appeared to be the most audacious attacks by Ukrainian forces since the start of the war nearly a year ago.
The explosions, which occurred at the Engels air base in the Saratov region and the Dyagilevo air base in the Ryazan region, caused significant damage to Russian aircraft and infrastructure, according to Russian state media.
At least three Russian servicemen were killed and four others were injured in the attacks, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
The Ukrainian government has not officially claimed responsibility for the attacks, but some Ukrainian officials have hinted at their involvement.
The attacks on the Russian air bases are a significant escalation in the conflict and represent a major blow to Russia’s military capabilities.
The Engels air base is one of the largest in Russia and is home to the Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bombers, which have been used to launch long-range cruise missile attacks on Ukraine.
The Dyagilevo air base is also a major military facility and is home to the Tu-22M3 long-range bombers.
The attacks on the air bases are likely to have a significant impact on Russia’s ability to conduct air operations against Ukraine.
The attacks also represent a significant psychological blow to Russia, as they show that Ukraine is capable of striking deep inside Russian territory.
The Russian Defense Ministry has vowed to retaliate for the attacks, but it is unclear how or when it will do so.
The attacks on the Russian air bases are a major development in the war in Ukraine and could have significant implications for the conflict in the coming weeks and months..
