At least 13 people have been killed in a Ukrainian drone strike in Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan, according to local officials, the BBC reported.
Officials confirmed that a child was among those killed, while 75 others were injured after drones struck the city of Nizhnekamsk, located more than 1,100 kilometers (680 miles) from the Ukrainian border. Ukraine’s Armed Forces said the city’s Tanevo oil refinery was hit.
The attack is one of the deadliest single strikes on Russian territory since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Kyiv has recently intensified its long-range attacks against facilities it says contribute to Russia’s war effort, including targets linked to energy revenues and military logistics.
The attack on Nizhnekamsk continued for several hours overnight and into the morning, according to local sources.
Verified footage circulating on social media showed large clouds of smoke and flames rising into the sky during the day, while air-raid sirens could be heard in the background.
The Uzbek Consulate in Tatarstan said seven of those killed were Uzbek nationals.
According to Russia’s RIA news agency, most of the victims had been staying in a hostel at the time of the attack. Russia’s Investigative Committee said that “civilians who were not involved in any military operations were present” at the site when the drones struck.
