December 26, 2022 Russia-Ukraine news

Three Russian servicemen had been killed Monday after a Ukrainian drone was shot down by air defenses because it approached a navy airfield in Saratov Oblast, deep inside Russian territory, in response to Russian state information companies, citing the protection ministry.

CNN has been unable to independently confirm Russian stories the drone was intentionally shot down and didn’t attain its supposed goal.

Here is what we all know to this point concerning the incident:

The place it occurred: It passed off within the western port metropolis of Engels, some 500 miles (greater than 800 kilometers) southeast of Moscow, situated on the Volga River.

Why it’s important: It’s the second such tried assault on town, which homes the Engels-2 navy airfield, a strategic bomber airbase, this month.

Investigation is ongoing: Regulation enforcement companies are actually investigating the incident on the airfield, stated Saratov Oblast Governor Roman Busargin on Monday. The feedback, posted on his official Telegram channel, got here after stories circulated of an explosion within the metropolis. He added that there have been “no emergencies within the residential areas of town,” and that no civilian infrastructure had been broken. He additionally prolonged his condolences to the households of the servicemen, saying the federal government would offer them with help.

What Ukraine is saying: In feedback Monday, Ukrainian Air Pressure spokesperson Yurii Ihnat didn’t declare direct accountability for the drone, however did recommend the assault was the “consequence of what Russia is doing.” He added: “If the Russians thought that the battle wouldn’t have an effect on anybody within the deep rear (of Russia) or wherever else, they had been deeply mistaken. Due to this fact, as we see, such issues are occurring increasingly more usually, and let’s hope that it will solely profit Ukraine.” Additionally on Monday, a spokesperson for South of Ukraine’s Safety and Protection Forces warned of a potential retaliatory Russian strike, referencing the same incident earlier this month in the identical area.

What occurred earlier this month: CCTV footage earlier this month appeared to indicate an explosion lighting up the sky in Engels. On the time, Gov. Busargin additionally reassured residents that no civilian infrastructure was broken and that “details about incidents at navy services is being checked by legislation enforcement companies.” He had acknowledged that details about “a loud bang and a burst in Engels within the early morning” was spreading on social networks and the media. The Engels-2 airfield is almost 6 kilometers (greater than 3 miles) from the place the CCTV footage was recorded in early December.