Ukrainian drone strike on Russian oil refinery in Tatarstan kills 13, including seven Uzbek citizens

Drone attack on Nizhnekamsk

A Ukrainian drone attack struck the industrial city of Nizhnekamsk in Russia's Tatarstan region on Monday, 10 August, killing at least 13 people including a child and seven Uzbek citizens. The regional press service reported 75 people injured, 21 of whom were hospitalised, while the local mayor's office cited 39 injured. The attack lasted several hours overnight and into the morning, with verified social media footage showing large columns of smoke and fire. Russia's Investigative Committee opened a criminal case classifying the strike as terrorism.

The committee has opened an investigation for acts of terrorism in connection with an attack by Ukrainian militants on industrial targets in the Republic of Tatarstan.

Most victims were in a hostel at the time, according to Russian news agency RIA, and the regional government said citizens of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan were among the dead. Nizhnekamsk, approximately 1,000 km inside Russian territory, hosts some of Russia's largest oil refineries and a major petrochemical plant. The city's refineries had previously been attacked on 12 June.

Target: Taneco refinery

Ukraine's General Staff confirmed it had struck the Taneco oil refinery, controlled by the oil giant Tatneft, as part of a campaign to reduce Russia's military potential. Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Anti-Disinformation Center, said the targeted facilities were used to carry out attacks on Ukraine, produce weapons, and support Russia's war effort. Rustam Minnikhanov, head of Tatarstan, confirmed the attack and expressed condolences. Mayor Radmir Belayev declared a period of mourning in the region. Russia's Defence Ministry said air defences intercepted 456 Ukrainian drones overnight across 16 Russian regions, Moscow, Crimea, and Krasnodar.

Simultaneous strike on Tobolsk

Ukrainian forces also struck a petrochemical facility in Tobolsk, in the Tyumen region of Siberia, approximately 2,500 km from the Ukraine-Russia border. The attack hit the facility's central gas fractionation unit, which processes products used in rocket fuel components, aviation fuel, drone composite materials, and high-octane gasoline.

Another achievement of our Defense Forces of Ukraine: another object of the Russian oil industry was hit, and the distance is significant, more than 2,500 kilometers. And that in Tobolsk, in Siberia. Now, this region is also within reach of our long-range attacks. A very important achievement of our Ukrainian soldiers.

Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities

While Ukraine struck deep inside Russia, Moscow continued its bombardment of Ukrainian cities. Five people were killed in the Kharkiv region after prosecutors described a massive Russian artillery attack on a residential area in the village of Bugaivka, Chuguyiv district. One person died in the Kherson region when a Russian drone hit a taxi, according to governor Yaroslav Chanko. In Zaporizhzhia, Russian glide bombs injured 18 people. Ukrainian firefighter Yevhen Vasylenko reported that Russian strikes had become increasingly regular. In the Belgorod region, six people were killed and 25 injured in an attack on Sunday, 9 August, with an additional woman killed in Novaya Tavolzhanka.

Diplomatic and military context

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of targeting civilians for terrorist purposes and called on the international community to assess Kyiv's actions. Zelensky said Russia was preparing to deploy an additional North Korean contingent and had received additional ballistic missiles from North Korea.

For the first time in its history, Russia cannot wage war without reinforcements from North Korea.

He warned that North Korea would pose a greater danger to Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines as it gained military experience. Zelensky also announced he would have new contacts with mediators this week regarding a negotiated solution to the conflict.