STRIKING BACK
Ukrainian drones attack Russian air base home to Putin’s £130m supersonic Blackjack bombers as four explosions rock site
Blasts ring out and sirens sound in dramatic footage filmed by residents nearby
A RUSSIAN air base housing Putin's prized £130m supersonic Blackjack bombers has been attacked by Ukrainian drones.
At least four explosions rocked the high-security Engels-2 air base in Saratov region overnight.
4
4
4
Russia's ministry of defence claims the drones were destroyed.
The air base, in southwestern Russia, is home to Russia's Blackjack bombers, also known as Tupolev Tu-160.
They are Russian supersonic variable-sweep wing strategic missile-carrying bombers dating from the Soviet era.
Along with the Tu-95MS bombers, these planes are the mainstay of Russia’s long-range aviation.
More on Russia
The Tu-160M is designed to strike enemy targets in remote areas with nuclear or conventional weapons.
Residents living close to the air base reported hearing a siren before four explosions rang out.
Roman Busargin, the governor of Saratov Oblast, claimed no damage had been done to the base.
But in a previous attack, drones successfully blasted the facility and two of Putin's Tu-95 nuke bombers were blown up.
Most read in The Sun
Dramatic footage shows a huge flash at the site during the early morning strike in December 2022.
It was reported that the humiliated tyrant was forced to hide his fleet of bombers after the attack.
Moment two of Putin’s Tu-95 nuclear bombers ‘are BLOWN UP in Ukrainian drone attack on high-security Russian airbase'
Satellite pictures revealed the Russian President moved six aircraft following the successful strike.
The latest attack comes as the war in Ukraine continues to rage on - with no end in sight as Putin inevitably secured another term as Russian leader just days ago.
The ageing dictator, 71, will now be in power until at least 2030 after masterminding a sham election to give himself his biggest-ever landslide victory of over 87 per cent.
He gave a "victory speech" just hours after the polls closed as thanked Russians for their "trust" and "support", saying the result would allow Russian society to "become stronger".
The despot once again warned the world could be led to the brink of World War 3 if Western troops enter Ukraine, where Russia's invasion continues to stall over two years in.
He also pledged to "defeat" his foes as a crowd of supporters cheered him on.
Putin said: "We are all one team. No one can suppress us, they will never succeed.
"But we, as one united family, can defeat them.
"And all our goals will be achieved, we will do everything to achieve this."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky branded Putin "sick for power" as his troops continue to fight against Russia's forces.
The wartime leader added: "It is clear to everyone in the world that this figure, as it has already often happened in the course of history, is simply sick for power and is doing everything to rule forever.
"There is no legitimacy in this imitation of elections and there cannot be.
"This person should be on trial in The Hague. That's what we have to ensure."
READ MORE SUN STORIES
4
Topics