In brief
At least 13 people, including a child, were killed and 39 others injured when Ukrainian drones struck Nizhnekamsk, a major oil refinery town in Russia’s Tatarstan republic. The attack, which lasted several hours overnight, is one of the most lethal single incidents in Russia since the full‑scale war began. Russian officials confirmed that both industrial facilities and residential areas were hit, while the U.Kyiv government has increased long‑range strikes on key infrastructure in the region. Russia’s air defence reportedly intercepted more than 450 drones that night.
At least 13 killed in Ukrainian drone strike on Russia’s Tatarstan region, officials say
A Ukrainian drone strike on the industrial city of Nizhnekamsk in Russia’s Tatarstan republic killed 13 people, including a child, and left 39 others injured, officials announced.
The strike was one of the deadliest single attacks on Russia since the start of the full‑scale war in Ukraine. Nizhnekamsk lies more than 1,100 kilometres from the Ukrainian border and hosts several major oil refineries and a large petrochemical company.
Local reports say the barrage lasted several hours overnight and into the morning, with large plumes of smoke and flames visible in daytime images and the air raid sirens howling in the background.
While the precise target remains unverified, Kyiv has lately intensified attacks on facilities it alleges support Russia’s war effort. Russian authorities confirmed both industrial and residential areas were damaged, noting that civilian individuals were present.
Rustam Minnikhanov, the head of Tatarstan, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, and Nizhnekamsk mayor Radmir Belayev mourned the loss, calling it a tremendous pain for everyone.
Tatarstan declared a period of mourning, heightening the gravity of the incident.
Moscow’s defence ministry reported that Russian air defence systems shot down more than 450 Ukrainian drones during the operation. The air‑defences claimed to have intercepted a large portion of the onslaught.
Ukraine has increasingly delivered long‑range strikes on Russian strategic targets, often hitting warehouses or energy infrastructure, raising the stakes for civilians amid ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, Russia continues large‑scale aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities. Last week, a combined drone and missile strike on Kyiv claimed 21 lives, and in Kharkiv a Russian artillery strike killed five people.
