The special unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence, Aratta, reports active construction at the Russian Engels-2 airbase, the main hub of the Russian Federation’s strategic aviation, from which missile carriers take off to strike Ukraine. According to the unit, concrete is being poured in the northern part of the facility and 12 new parking spaces are being prepared for Tu-95MS, Tu-160, Su-34 and Su-35 aircraft.
According to Aratta, it is from Engels-2 that Russia is carrying out massive attacks on Ukrainian cities. Earlier, Ukrainian drones had already struck this facility, destroying dozens of cruise missiles and fuel depots; the explosions were heard even in Saratov. The unit emphasises that active construction indicates that the Russian Federation is preparing for new waves of strikes.
Aratta points to the need to build up Ukraine’s deep strike capabilities — drones, deep-strike and high-precision weapons — in order to launch pre-emptive strikes on such bases.