UKRAINE has struck a key Russian airbase housing nuke bombers with footage showing a huge explosion rising into the sky.

A black mushroom cloud erupted into the sky early Thursday morning from Engels airbase as Kyiv launched a drone attack.

The base is about 700km (435miles) from the front lines and it hosts Russia’s Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear capable heavy strategic bombers.

Locals claimed the strikes had hit an ammunition depot crammed with missiles and fuel – which had triggered the huge explosion.

The smoke could be seen from miles away with residential homes damaged by the shockwave.

The local governor said there had been a Ukrainian drone attack on the town of Engels.

An urgent evacuation of civilians “for safety reasons” was reportedly ordered and the closure of schools in the area, including Saratov city after the 4am attack. 

Russia’s defence ministry said its air defences had shot down 132 drones over Russia, including 54 in the Saratov region where the Engels base is located.

Ukraine has targeted Engels airbase before, even hitting and destroying two of the nuke bombers.

In 2022, footage showed a huge flash at the Engels airbase when Ukraine struck it – destroying two of the planes.

The bombers have been used to blast targets in Ukraine with non-nuclear weapons, particularly in recent weeks as Putin continues to blitz the country’s infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Russia launched its own attack on Ukraine bombing the city of Kropyvnytskyi and injuring eight people, including a child.

Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, said: “Kropyvnytskyi. This is what Putin’s ceasefire looks like.

“Russia takes great pleasure in attacking civilians.”

Zelensky – who had constructive talks with Trump on Wednesday – said that an expected ban on striking energy facilities was not yet in place. 

He said: “I understand that until we agree [with Russia], until there is a corresponding document on even a partial ceasefire, I think that everything will fly.”