Engels-2 Air Base

Engels-2 is a strategic bomber military airbase in Russia, located 14 kilometers east of Saratov. It is Russia's sole operating location for the Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bomber. The base has a 3,500-meter runway and approximately 10 large revetments. As of 2022, the base is home to the 121st Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment with Tu-160M aircraft and the 184th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment with Tupolev Tu-95MS aircraft, both part of the 22nd Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Division.

The construction of a military piloting school began at the site in 1930, activated as the 14th School of Pilots in December 1930. The first aircraft, a Polikarpov U-2, used the site in February 1932. During World War II, the Engels Flying School sent 14 regiments to the front, including three women's regiments. In the early 1950s, construction of the new "Engels-2" airport with a concrete runway began, leading to the school's relocation in September 1954. In December 1954, the 201st Heavy Bomber Aviation Division was established.

The first Myasishchev M-4 bombers arrived in February 1955. Later, M-4 and 3M bombers were converted into aerial refueling tankers. The base became home to the Tupolev Tu-95MS beginning in 1979. The first Tu-160s were incorporated into the 1096th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment in 1992, which was redesignated the 121st Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment in 1994. From 1999 to 2001, the base received eight Tu-160s from Ukraine. The 184th Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment was reformed at the base in September 2000 with Tu-95MS aircraft.

Construction of a new parallel runway and supporting infrastructure was completed in 2015, capable of handling all Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft. During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, aircraft from the 121st and 184th regiments attacked Ukraine. Since December 2022, the airbase has been subjected to multiple drone attacks, reportedly causing damage to aircraft and infrastructure, and resulting in casualties among technical staff.