At least 13 people were killed in a Ukrainian drone strike on the Russian republic of Tatarstan, local officials reported. Among the deceased was a child, and authorities indicated that 75 others sustained injuries in the assault.
If confirmed, this incident would represent one of the deadliest single attacks on Russian territory since the onset of the large-scale conflict initiated by President Vladimir Putin against Ukraine.
The strike targeted Nijnekamsk, a city located over 1,100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, and Kiev has yet to comment on the situation.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces acknowledged that the Tanevo oil refinery in Nijnekamsk was hit, with Ukrainian defense technology manufacturer FirePoint stating that FP-1 drones were employed in the attack.
Local sources described the assault as lasting several hours, occurring overnight into the morning.
Official Mourning Period Declared in Tatarstan
Unverified images shared on social media depicted large columns of smoke and flames rising into the sky, accompanied by the sound of air raid sirens.
While no official information has clarified the target of the attack, Kiev has recently intensified its operations against sites believed to provide revenue and logistical support for Russia’s war machine.
Moscow stated that both industrial facilities and residential areas were hit in the recent attack, noting the presence of civilians not involved in military operations, according to the Russian Investigative Committee.
Rustam Minnikhanov, the head of the Republic of Tatarstan, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, stating, “This is a tremendous pain for all of us.” Nijnekamsk’s mayor, Radmir Belaiev, echoed these sentiments.
A period of mourning has been officially declared in Tatarstan.
Ukrainian defense forces previously targeted oil refineries in Nijnekamsk on June 12. The Russian military claims to have shot down over 450 Ukrainian drones during the night.
