Ukraine's Drone Attack Causes Damage and Flight Disruptions in Russia's Saratov Region

Ukraine's drone attack on Russia's Saratov region led to damaged homes and restricted flights. A woman was injured, and emergency services responded to affected sites. Russia's air defence destroyed nine drones, and the incident involved strategic locations like Engels, home to a key bomber military base.

Homes were damaged and flights were restricted in Russia's Saratov region following a drone attack by Ukraine on Monday, according to Russian officials and news agencies. The incident also left a woman wounded.

Regional governor Roman Basurgin reported on Telegram that falling debris from drones destroyed by Russia's air defence systems damaged a residential complex in Saratov. "A woman was hospitalised in serious condition," said Basurgin, adding that doctors are fighting for her life.

The Russian defence ministry confirmed that its air defence systems had destroyed nine drones over the Saratov region, approximately 900 kilometres (560 miles) from the Ukraine border. The regional Saratov airport restricted flights as a result, as per reports from Russian RIA news agencies.

Emergency services were deployed to the affected sites in Saratov and Engels, key cities in the region, earlier stated Basurgin. Engels hosts a strategic bomber military base that has been targeted multiple times since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

While no immediate information was available on the base damage or the scale of the Ukrainian attack, video footage shared by Russian news SHOT channel on Telegram showed a high-rise residential building in Saratov with its side damaged and several windows blown out across three floors. In Engels, the top floor of a residential building was damaged. Reuters has not independently verified these reports, and there was no immediate comment from Ukraine. Both nations claim they do not target civilians and aim to destroy infrastructure crucial for war efforts.

(With inputs from agencies.)