At least 13 people, including a child, have been killed and 75 others injured following a Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian city of Nizhnekamsk in Tatarstan, according to Russian authorities.
The overnight attack, which lasted several hours and continued into the morning, targeted the city located more than 1,100 kilometres from the Ukrainian border. Ukraine’s Armed Forces said the Tanevo oil refinery in Nizhnekamsk was among the facilities hit.
The attack is being described as one of the deadliest single strikes on Russian territory since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Verified images circulating on social media showed large plumes of smoke and flames rising over the area as air raid sirens sounded.
The Uzbek Consulate in Tatarstan said seven of those killed were Uzbek citizens. Russian state news agency RIA reported that many of the victims were staying in a hostel when the drones struck.
According to BBC, Russia’s Investigative Committee said civilians who were not involved in military operations were present at the affected location. Moscow has condemned the attack and warned that those responsible would face severe punishment.
Kyiv has intensified long-range strikes on Russian oil and industrial facilities, arguing that they contribute to Moscow’s war effort.
Russia’s oil refineries in Nizhnekamsk were previously targeted on June 12.
