At least 13 people, including a child, were killed in a drone strike on Russia’s Tatarstan republic, according to Russian officials. Authorities said another 75 people were injured in the attack on Nizhnekamsk, more than 1,100km from the Ukrainian border.
The strike, which local sources said continued for several hours overnight and into the morning, was among the deadliest single drone attacks reported in Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale war in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Armed Forces confirmed that the Tanevo oil refinery in Nizhnekamsk had been hit. Ukrainian defence technology manufacturer FirePoint said its FP-1 drones were used in the operation.
Verified images posted on social media showed flames and heavy smoke rising into the daytime sky while air-raid sirens sounded. Oil refineries in Nizhnekamsk had also been struck on 12 June.
Conflicting accounts of targets
Moscow said industrial facilities were targeted but also said residential areas had been hit. Russia’s Investigative Committee said civilians not involved in military operations were present. The BBC said it had not independently verified that information.
Rustam Minnikhanov, the head of Tatarstan, confirmed the attack and offered condolences to relatives of those killed. Nizhnekamsk Mayor Radmir Belayev described the deaths as a „tremendous pain” for the region. Tatarstan has declared a period of mourning.
Andriy Kovalenko, who leads Ukraine’s Centre for Countering Disinformation, said Ukraine targets facilities it considers to support Russia’s war effort, including by providing revenue, logistics or weapons-related support. He said civilian deaths in Russia were the responsibility of President Vladimir Putin and the decisions made in the country.
Russian authorities also said air defences shot down more than 450 Ukrainian drones overnight. Kyiv has recently intensified long-range attacks on Russian warehouses and energy infrastructure, while Russia continues large-scale aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities and residential areas.
Source: BBC News
