Drones launched a massive attack on Engels, igniting a fire at an oil depot.

In the night of Wednesday, January 8, a severe fire erupted at an oil depot in Engels, Saratov Oblast, following a drone attack. This was reported by the governor of Saratov Oblast, Raman Busargin, as well as Russian Telegram channels that published footage of the blaze.

It is known that residents heard up to 40 explosions during the night amid the drone attack. The fire broke out shortly thereafter. According to data from the Telegram channel Exilenova+, the affected oil depot belongs to the "Kristal" plant of Rosrezerv. It is designated for storing aviation fuel for the local airbase "Engels-2."

Governor Raman Busargin stated that Engels and Saratov experienced a massive drone attack on the night of January 8.

“There are damages at one of the industrial facilities. Preliminary information indicates that no one was injured. Emergency services are on-site to mitigate the aftermath,” the report stated.

Additionally, Engels is located approximately 700 km from Ukraine, and the city is home to the main base of Russian strategic bombers Tu-160.

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported the downing of 32 drones on the night of January 8:

• 11 drones over Saratov Oblast,
• 4 drones over Kursk Oblast,
• 4 drones over Rostov Oblast,
• 3 drones over Belgorod Oblast,
• 3 drones over Bryansk Oblast,
• 2 drones over Krasnodar Krai,
• 1 drone over Volgograd Oblast,
• 4 drones over the waters of the Azov Sea.

Updated at 11:20. The General Staff confirmed the attack on the oil depot in Russian Engels on January 8. The operation was carried out by units of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense and the UAV Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in coordination with other components of the Defense Forces.

“Striking the oil depot creates serious logistical issues for the strategic aviation of the Russian occupiers and significantly reduces their ability to strike peaceful Ukrainian cities and civilian facilities,” the report emphasized.

Recall that on the night of Sunday, January 5, drones attacked the Rostov and Belgorod regions of Russia. As a result of the attack, residential buildings, premises, and vehicles in several localities of the regions were damaged.