Kyiv: Ukraine launched one of its largest long-range drone offensives of the war, with 635 drones targeting military and energy infrastructure deep inside Russia, according to Russian authorities. The overnight strikes reportedly hit the Engels airbase in the Saratov region, oil facilities and industrial sites across multiple Russian regions, marking a significant escalation in Kyiv’s campaign against Moscow’s military and economic infrastructure.

Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its air defence systems intercepted hundreds of drones, while regional officials reported casualties, fires and damage to civilian and industrial infrastructure. Ukraine has not immediately commented on the scale of the operation.

Russia claims to intercept 635 drones

The Russian Defence Ministry said its air defences intercepted 635 Ukrainian drones, describing it as one of the largest aerial attacks launched by Ukraine since the conflict began.

According to Russian officials, the drones targeted several regions simultaneously, overwhelming air defence systems and triggering emergency responses across western and central Russia.

Engels airbase among key targets

Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted the Engels military airbase in the Saratov region, one of Russia’s most strategically important airbases.

The base has long hosted Russia’s fleet of long-range strategic bombers and has previously been targeted by Ukrainian drone operations. Russian authorities acknowledged attacks in the region but did not disclose the extent of military damage.

Oil facilities and industrial sites hit

Ukraine also claimed to have targeted energy infrastructure, including a Saratov oil refinery and an oil depot in the Kaluga region.

Russian officials confirmed attacks on industrial facilities in several regions, with fires breaking out after drone strikes. Emergency services were deployed to contain the blazes while damage assessments continued.

Casualties reported in Russia

Regional governors reported that the drone offensive caused civilian casualties in multiple locations.

According to Russian officials:

  • A child was killed in the Belgorod region.
  • Two people died in Saratov’s Engels city.
  • Three people were killed in Russia’s Udmurt Republic.
  • Additional injuries were reported in several affected regions.

Reuters said it could not independently verify battlefield claims made by either side.

Ukraine intensifies long-range strikes

The latest operation is part of Ukraine’s broader strategy of targeting Russian military and economic infrastructure far behind the front lines.

In recent months, Ukrainian drones have repeatedly struck oil refineries, fuel depots, logistics hubs and military airbases in an effort to disrupt Russia’s war-fighting capability and reduce energy revenues that help finance the conflict.

Russia continues attacks on Ukraine

Even as Ukraine launched its large-scale drone operation, Russia continued missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian territory.

Ukrainian officials reported fresh strikes on civilian areas, while both sides accused each other of targeting critical infrastructure as the aerial war intensified.

Conclusion

The reported launch of 635 drones marks one of Ukraine’s biggest aerial operations against Russia during the war. With strategic military facilities, oil infrastructure and industrial sites among the reported targets, the latest strikes underline Kyiv’s growing reliance on long-range drones to pressure Moscow beyond the battlefield, even as Russia claims to have intercepted most of the incoming aircraft.