"Direct hit"; Russians in shock, it's all in flames VIDEO

As the Kyiv Post writes, the Russian military air base Engels was attacked, and sources in the Ukrainian special services confirmed to the newspaper that the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine was behind the attack.

"Planned HUR operation," the source said, without giving details of the special operation. The Russian channel SHOT on Telegram reported two to four powerful explosions.

"Preliminary data suggests that the air defense system has been activated. Residents report hearing a siren beforehand. There is no official information on casualties or damage," the report said.

The governor of the Saratov region, where this Russian airbase is located, Roman Busargin confirmed that the drones were shot down over Engels around 3 a.m., less than an hour before the announcement.

"The anti-aircraft defense system reacted quickly and efficiently. There were no casualties, nor was there any damage to the infrastructure from the falling debris," the governor said.

Meanwhile, social media users mention a fire in the airport area after the explosion, and rescuers quickly arrived.

One social media user who lives near the airport wrote: "There was at least one direct hit and the rest (of the drones) were probably shot down by anti-aircraft missiles. Then came fire engines, ambulances, police with flashing lights."

"The warning siren continues, as do the explosions and fires at the airport," he added.