A massive explosion of ammunition triggering a giant mushroom cloud today hit Engels-2, home of a military airport for Russia‘s nuclear strategic bomber aircraft.
Ammunition warehouses crammed with suspected missiles and a military-linked aviation fuel oil facility were hit and ablaze in the Ukrainian blitzkrieg, and there was damage to a hospital from falling drone debris after it was downed by air defences.
Massive secondary explosions of ammunition were reported from the strike with dozens of residential properties nearby suffering damage, and smoke visible from more than six miles away.
After the detonation of the ammunition store in Engels-2, debris scattered more than three miles from the exploding missiles, say reports.
One theory is that a new supply of Kh-101 missiles had arrived at the airbase on an Il-76 transport plane, and that Ukraine had intelligence about it. At the time of the explosion, three Tu-95MS and two Tu-160s strategic bombers were at the Engels-2 airbase.
An urgent evacuation of civilians ‘for safety reasons’ was reportedly ordered and the closure of schools in the area, including Saratov city after the 4am attack.
Engels-2 is a major base for Russia’s Tu-95MS and Tu-160 aircraft, and warehouses nearby are believed to store deadly Kh-101 and Kh-55 types missiles among other weapons.
This came as Putin‘s forces ‘carpet bombed’ a central Ukrainian city making clear that Donald Trump‘s peace initiatives have failed for now to halt attacks by both sides.
A massive explosion of ammunition triggering a giant mushroom cloud today hit Engels-2, home of a military airport for Russia ‘s nuclear strategic bomber aircraft
It was the biggest drone attack of the war in Saratov region, from which Vladimir Putin has staged repeated and devastating conventional missile strikes on Ukraine
Vladimir Putin (pictured) stored his nuclear bombers in the city of Engels
More than 30 explosions hit Kropyvnytskyi in a thunderous terror onslaught striking rail and industrial sites as well as homes with eight people including a child injured.
Armageddon-like flames and towers of smoke burned over Kropyvnytskyi after a relentless two-hour Russian attack, the worst of the war.
Ten people were wounded – including four children – as among the targets Putin hit was Mir [Peace] Street, seen by Ukrainians as evidence that the dictator has no desire to end the war.
A woman was fighting for her life with 90 per cent burns to her body.
Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, said: ‘Kropyvnytskyi. This is what Putin’s ceasefire looks like.
‘Russia takes great pleasure in attacking civilians.’
Some reports said Ukraine’s 17th aviation technical support base – military unit A-1840 – was hit in Kropyvnytskyi, capital of Kirovohrad region, with a targeting of cruise missiles and other ammunition.
Zelensky – who had constructive talks with Trump on Wednesday – said that an expected ban on striking energy facilities was not yet in place.
‘I understand that until we agree [with Russia], until there is a corresponding document on even a partial ceasefire, I think that everything will fly,’ said Zelensky, referring to drones and missiles.
Putin said he had ordered his troops not to hit Ukrainian energy facilities, but his strikes clobbered railways and industrial facilities across several regions, and they have also hit energy facilities since he issued the ‘order’.
Satellite imagery from Maxar shows the Engels-2 airfield near Saratov, Russia, showing long-range Tu-95MS and Tu-160 bombers
The airbase is home to Tu-160 (pictured, left) and Tu-95MS (pictured, right)bombers
A damaged building of a local hospital, following what local authorities called a Ukrainian drone attack, in the Russian town of Engels in the Saratov region on March 20, 2025
Ammunition warehouses crammed with suspected missiles and a military-linked aviation fuel oil facility were hit and ablaze in the Ukrainian blitzkrieg
This came as Putin’s forces ‘carpet bombed’ the central Ukrainian city of Kropyvnytskyi
Despite this he hit Ukraine overnight with 171 drones, of which
75 were shot down.
On the attack of Engels-2, home to Putin’s 121st Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment,one Telegram channel wrote: ‘In the middle of the night, reports started coming about an alleged hit….
‘By morning, mushrooms with an uncharacteristic colour for oil products were visible in the city.
‘It can be cautiously assumed that the Russians’ ammunition storage has exploded as a result of an encounter with high-precision [drones].’
Engels City Clinical Hospital No. 1 was hit by drone debris, injuring one woman, and Russian sources claimed a school and two kindergartens were damaged.
Russian air defences shot down 132 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 54 in Saratov region.
The Times of Ukraine Telegram channel reported: ‘Kropyvnytskyi was simply under carpet bombing….. Most areas are in flames and smoke. No words.’
The attacks were mainly by Iranian-supplied Shahed drones.
The damage in the aftermath of the strike was horrific, and questions Putin’s desire for peace.
As the onslaught was underway, the head of the military administration in Kropyvnytskyi said: ‘The enemy is attacking residential areas of the city.
‘Novomykolaivka, Balashivka are under attack.
‘There are still enemy UAVs in the air. I ask everyone not to panic and to be as safe as possible.’
Passenger trains at this key rail hub were disrupted, and a major local factory was targeted.
Rail targets were also hit in Dnipropetrovsk region, and Russian also hit Slaviansk and Kupyansk, where one person was killed in a guided bomb strike.
Meanwhile, an inferno at Kavkazskaya – hit on Wednesday by Ukraine – was expanding and posing a threat to Russian export supplies.
Amid Ukrainian attacks, Russia evacuated a border zone in Belgorod region.
‘If you do not comply with this decision, you may die,’ residents were warned.
