Attack on Engels: How long Russian aircraft will be left without fuel - experts

The governor of the Saratov region Roman Bussargin confirmed the fact of the attack and stated that the fragments of the whipped drones fell on an industrial facility in Engels, causing damage. According to preliminary data, there are no victims. Additionally, according to the locals, the city had the work of air defense systems that tried to repel drones.

Engels is of strategic importance because of the location of military infrastructure, in particular the aerodrome, which is one of the key to the Russian military-air forces. The airfield is based on Russia's strategic aviation, including strategic Tu-95MC and Tu-160 bombers. These aircraft are used to launch winged lanks, such as X-101 and X-555, which Russia actively uses for strikes in Ukraine.

Due to the possibility of launching missiles from remote regions of Russia, Engels aircraft can strike at any point in Ukraine without entering the area of ​​Ukrainian air defense. The aerodrome is also the basis for servicing strategic aviation aircraft and crew preparation. "In Engels is a very large strategic aviation airfield.

To cause serious damage to this object, it would take several hundred drones, as planes can be dispersed in numerous parking lots, and their exact location is unknown. Storage of aviation fuel. Is it possible to exhale now and not wait in the coming days of massive blows? Sorry no. Despite the fact that the impact was applied through the oil depot, the airfield has its own filling station that can ensure the operation of aircraft in the short term.

If the fire on the basis continues and causes significant losses, it will make the Russians carry fuel directly, which will significantly complicate their logistics, but will not stop it completely, the expert continues. The same opinion is the military expert Paul Narozhny. According to him, the attack of Ukrainian drones temporarily stopped or complicated the work of the Russian airfield in Engels.

There are no confirmations in the form of photos or videos, but there is a high probability that the planes have remained intact. "Due to the slow speed of drones - about 200 km/h - the Russian soldiers had enough time to transfer the equipment to another airfield or lift it into the air," says the focus of the People. Experts emphasize that, nevertheless, the weakness of the air defense system in Engels is obvious.

"The very fact that Ukrainian drones have reached the base and struck is already a great achievement. It also shows the weakness of the Russian air defense, because the main base of strategic aviation was not as protected as stated," Zhdanov says. All operations at the aerodrome, including missile loading, gas station and repair, are now complicated, experts say. "If the oil depot that provides fuel strategic aviation is seriously injured, it can be restored in 1-2 months.

At this time, the fuel will have to be delivered by rail, which will significantly complicate logistics," the Narozhnyi says. In terms of ammunition, according to the expert, Russia produces about two winged missiles per day. If the warehouses were affected, it can create problems with the replenishment of the arsenal. It is difficult to estimate the exact number of rockets destroyed, but several dozen units could be in the warehouse.

"The issue of damage or destruction of TU-95 strategic bombers is especially important. If one of them was damaged or completely destroyed, it can be considered a serious success for the Ukrainian side," the expert continues. This is not the first UAV attack on Engels airfield. There is currently no official confirmation of what drones attack Russian oil depots.

Ukraine has more than a dozen types of drones, but the development of drone technologies in the country is slow because of insufficient funding and production capacity, says Zhdanov. "If the repeated strike occurs in the coming days, it can exacerbate the damage caused. The Russian side is unlikely to promptly strengthen the air defense, especially given the need to ensure safety during fire extinguishing," the expert says.

Unfortunately, the Ukrainian industry cannot compete with the mass production demonstrated by Russia. For example, the shahamed Iranian drones indicate the production of more than 12 thousand units, while Ukraine is forced to calculate strikes due to limited production capabilities. However, even with such restrictions, every successful attack of drones undermines the logistics of the enemy and weakens their ability to strike in Ukraine.