Explosions were heard in the area of the Engels airbase early on September 17. Several strategic bombers, including Tu-95 and Tu-160, may have been present at the base, according to Defense Express. The outlet noted the appearance of a satellite image of the Engels airbase in the Saratov region,

Russia's Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bombers are capable of carrying out nuclear and conventional long-range strikes, and have repeatedly been used by Russia's military to launch missile attacks on Ukraine. The military base is located some 500 miles southeast of Moscow, and it has been targeted several times throughout the war.