According to the defence ministry, a Ukrainian drone was shot down on the approach to Engels base early yesterday morning but falling debris killed three soldiers.
The strike was the second recent attack on the Engels airbase, located about 300 miles away from the Ukrainian border and more than 450 miles south-east of Moscow.
This month, three servicemen were killed and two aircraft were damaged during an apparent Ukrainian drone attack on the airbase.
The defence ministry said no planes had been damaged in yesterday's attack. The details could not be independently confirmed.
The Soviet-era Engels airbase, named after the communist philosopher Friedrich Engels, is a crucial site for Russian air force operations against Ukraine and for the country's strategic nuclear forces.
It is home to Russia's 121st heavy bomber aviation regiment, which includes the Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bomber squadrons whose missiles have devastated Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
This story is from the December 27, 2022 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the December 27, 2022 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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