Ukrainian drone shot down near Russian base kills 3

Russia said it had shot down a Ukrainian drone close to one of its air bases for bombers deep inside its own territory and that three Russians had been killed.

Russia said Monday that it had shot down a Ukrainian drone close to one of its air bases for long-range bombers deep inside its own territory and that three Russian air force personnel had been killed in the incident.

The drone was allegedly flying near Russia’s Engels air base where long-range strategic bombers that may have been used to target Ukrainian cities and infrastructure are based. No planes were damaged in the incident, the defense ministry said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies.

NBC News did not confirm Russian reports on possible damage at the base.

An overview of Engels Airbase, which is home to a strategic bomber military base.HANDOUT / AFP - Getty ImagesThe air base, one of two strategic bomber bases housing Russia’s air-delivered nuclear capability, is near the city of Saratov, about 450 miles southeast of Moscow and hundreds of miles from the frontlines in Ukraine.

There was no immediate comment from Ukraine, which has never publicly claimed responsibility for attacks inside Russia but calls them “karma” for Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ukrainian-drone-shot-russian-base-kills-3-rcna63224

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