Three Russian soldiers were killed on Monday at the Engels military airbase in the Saratov region, the Russian Defense Ministry announced, quoted by national press agencies.
All three victims were fatally hit by debris from a Ukrainian drone shot down by air defense.
"On December 26, at around 1:35 a.m. Moscow time, a Ukrainian aerial drone was shot down at low altitude as it approached the Engels military airfield in the Saratov region", about 700 km from the border Ukrainian, reported the TASS news agency, citing the Ministry of Defense.
CCTV footage shows the moment of the explosion, where a vast halo of light can be seen.
Media reports that new explosions occurred near #Russian strategic aviation airfield in #Engels (#Saratov region).
Governor Busargin stated that there are no threats to the residents.
pic.twitter.com/pYRp7so92m
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 26, 2022
“Following the fall of the wreckage of the drone, three Russian soldiers who were on the airfield were fatally injured,” the statement lamented.
The governor of the Saratov region, Roman Bussargin, posted a message on Telegram to assure the relatives of the victims of his support: “We will provide the families with all the help they need.
“The aerial equipment of the base was not damaged, finally let the Ministry of Defense know.