Russia Says It Shot Down Drone Near Engels Air Base

[Kennah]

Source: Reuters

A Russian regional governor said on Thursday that air defences had shot down a drone near the Engels air force base, home to long-range strategic bombers.

Russia says Ukraine has already tried to attack the base twice this month, killing at least six Russian servicemen, although it said there was only slight damage to two aircraft.

The base is located near Saratov, 730 km (450 miles) southeast of Moscow and hundreds of kilometres from the frontlines in Ukraine.
...
The strikes have raised questions about the effectiveness of Russian air defences, particularly when the frontline is so far away.

Read more: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-12-29/russia-says-it-shot-down-drone-near-engels-air-base

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This is the third attack on Engels.

Suchomimus reports there was SAM activity--and has video--so something happened. He says reports on a Russian Telegram page saying a friendly fire incident in which the Russians downed one of their own SU-27s fighter jets, but urges to take that with salt.

[IronLionZion]

1. When I first read that I thought it was Eglin AFB in Florida

But Engels in Saratov Russia is even further from Ukraine than Moscow. So Ukraine could hit Moscow if they were evil. Russians should be thankful they are not.

[Kennah]

2. Russians have TU-95 (Bear) and TU-160 (Blackjack) bombers at Engels

Reports the first strike may have damaged and put out of action upwards of 3 TU-95s. Upwards of 5 TU-95s in the second strike.

If they can damage or destroy the airframes of Russian bombers ...

[IronLionZion]

7. Russia hasn't been using a lot of aircraft in Ukraine

because they fear being shot down

[Kennah]

8. There were also said to be cruise missiles at Engels

[Evolve Dammit]

3. Keep hitting the warplanes in their bases. That would level the field a bit (so to speak)..

[Kennah]

4. Once it's level, dig, with more explosions

[Evolve Dammit]

5. Wouldn't it be great if they could knock out a hundred or more functional, high-end aircraft?

[Kennah]

6. I fantasize about the Ukrainians stealing aircraft from Russia

[Evolve Dammit]

10. now that would be very cool!

[Kennah]

11. Where is Mitchell Gant when we need him?

[ornotna]

9. Unconfirmed reports they actually shot down one of their own SU-27's

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/zy5yes/according_to_russian_media_this_morning_near_the/

Just rumors, no solid evidence.

[machoneman]

12. Deception 101: The UKs will keep hitting the airbases with singular strikes, then switch...

...to another site, say a weapons depot, with a big strike, catching the Russkies off guard.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

13. This drone they killed, was it one of their own?