By Alperen Aktas
ISTANBUL (AA) - British intelligence assessed Tuesday that Ukraine’s drone strike on the Engels-2 Strategic Aviation airbase was its most successful attack on a Russian munitions depot in 2025, significantly disrupting Moscow’s air operations.
The UK’s Defence Intelligence update said the March 19 - 20 overnight strike targeted an ammunition storage site at the base, located 600 kilometers (372 miles) from the border.
The assessment indicated that the attack inflicted substantial damage, likely hampering Russian airstrike capabilities in the short term while forcing Moscow to reinforce its defenses and replenish munitions supplies.
The report said Russian aircraft were “highly likely” relocated to other airfields following the attack, a recurring response to Ukraine’s deep strikes.
The intelligence update emphasized that the operation reflects Ukraine’s pattern of targeting Russian military infrastructure deep inside its territory, exposing the growing vulnerabilities of Russia’s air defense systems in protecting strategic locations.
The Engels-2 airbase is a critical hub for Russia’s long-range bomber fleet and has been targeted multiple times by Ukraine since the start of the war in 2022.