AnewZ Morning Brief - April 30th, 2025
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 30th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Ukraine launched a drone strike on the Russian Engels airfield Thursday, causing a massive explosion and fire at the base housing Tu-160 bombers.
On Thursday, Ukraine launched a drone strike against the Engels airfield in southern Russia, resulting in a massive explosion and fire. The airfield, which houses Russia’s Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear-capable bombers, also known as "White Swans," is a significant military site. The attack occurred approximately 700 km (435 miles) from the front lines of the ongoing conflict.
The strike caused secondary detonations of stored ammunition at the base, as reported by Ukraine’s Defence Ministry. Footage of the incident shows a large plume of smoke rising into the sky, accompanied by intense fires that spread to nearby structures. Videos also captured the shockwave from the explosion, damaging cottages in the vicinity.
Russian officials acknowledged the attack, with the Defence Ministry stating that air defences had intercepted 132 Ukrainian drones across several Russian regions, including the Engels area. However, the drones that did penetrate Russian defences caused significant damage to the base.
The Governor of Saratov, Roman Busargin, confirmed that the airfield in Engels had been targeted, and a local fire broke out. He mentioned that nearby residents had been evacuated as a safety measure. While he did not specifically name the Engels base, it is the primary military airfield in the region. Local authorities reported ten injuries from the attack, and some residents found pieces of Ukrainian drones in their gardens.
Engels is a key military asset for Russia, hosting its strategic bombers and serving as a launch point for airstrikes on Ukrainian targets. The base has been previously attacked by Ukraine, with the most notable strike occurring in December 2022. In January, Ukraine claimed to have struck an oil depot connected to the base, which caused a large fire. Additionally, there were reports of the destruction of a storage facility containing guided bombs and missiles at the base.
This latest strike highlights Ukraine’s use of drones as an effective tool in targeting critical infrastructure in Russia, far behind the front lines. The drones, including PD-2 and Liutyi models, have allowed Ukrainian forces to disrupt Russian military operations in various regions.
In retaliation, Russia launched 171 drones at Ukraine overnight. Ukrainian air defences successfully intercepted 75 of the drones, while 63 others failed to reach their targets, according to reports.
The ongoing use of drones by both sides underscores the growing role of unmanned aerial systems in modern warfare, reshaping how conflicts are fought and how strategic targets are engaged. As the conflict continues, drone warfare is playing an increasingly significant role, with both sides refining their capabilities in an attempt to gain the upper hand. The strike on Engels marks a notable event in the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
As the conflict continues, drone warfare is playing an increasingly significant role, with both sides refining their capabilities in an attempt to gain the upper hand. The strike on Engels marks a notable event in the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least twelve people and injuring 90, including children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
In an expansive interview marking his first 100 days back in office, President Donald Trump sketched out an agenda that touches everything from punitive tariffs and China policy to cease-fire hopes in Ukraine and an overhaul of domestic programmes. Below are the highlights.
A deadly explosion at Iran’s Bandar Abbas port has left at least 40 dead, with more than 1,200 people injured, state media reported on Sunday, halting operations at one of the country’s most vital trade hubs.
For three generations, the Liebigs built railcars in Görlitz. Now, the factory that shaped their lives will produce parts for battle tanks.
North Korea has launched a new 5,000-tonne destroyer as part of Kim Jong Un’s plans to expand the country’s naval power far beyond its coastal waters.
Russian drone strikes targeted the Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv and Dnipro late Tuesday, killing at least one person and injuring around 50 others, according to local officials.
Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) has approved a coalition agreement with the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU), securing the final step needed to form a new government under Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz.
Political directors from France, Britain, and Germany are scheduled to meet with Iranian officials in Rome on Friday, according to two diplomatic sources who confirmed the meeting to Reuters.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, unveiled a free standalone artificial intelligence (AI) app for its Meta AI assistant on Tuesday, marking a significant move as part of the growing wave of new AI apps in the tech industry.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree renaming Volgograd International Airport to its historical name of Stalingrad, a move made official late Tuesday.
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