At least 13 killed in Ukrainian drone strike on Tatarstan, officials say
At least 13 people were killed and 39 others injured in a Ukrainian drone strike on the Russian republic of Tatarstan, according to Russian officials. One of the victims was a child. The attack targeted the city of Nizhnekamsk, more than 1,100 kilometres from the Ukrainian border and home to several major oil refineries and a large petrochemical company. The casualty figures could not be independently confirmed.
The strike lasted several hours overnight and into the morning, local sources said. Videos posted on social media, which could not be immediately verified, showed thick black smoke and large flames rising from the city, with air raid sirens heard in the background. The scale of the casualties makes it one of the deadliest single attacks on Russian soil since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Kyiv has not yet commented on the attack. Russian authorities said industrial facilities and residential areas were targeted. The Investigative Committee said civilians who were not involved in any military operations were present. This information could not be independently verified.
The head of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, confirmed the strike and expressed his condolences to the families of the dead. The mayor of Nizhnekamsk, Radmir Belayev, said the attack caused tremendous pain for everyone. Authorities have declared a period of mourning in the region.
Moscow said more than 450 Ukrainian drones were shot down by Russian air defences overnight. In recent months, Kyiv has stepped up long-range strikes on Russian territory, focusing on targets that support Moscow's war effort, such as energy and logistics facilities. Russia maintains that such infrastructure contributes revenue for its military campaign. The overnight drone barrage was one of the largest Russia has reported, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The Nizhnekamsk area is a major centre for Russia's energy sector, with several refineries and petrochemical plants located there. The attack on this city, deep inside Russian territory, highlights Ukraine's growing drone capabilities and the expansion of the conflict beyond the front lines. Located more than 1,000 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, the city is far from the front lines, underscoring the long reach of Kyiv's weapons.
This is not the first time Ukraine has targeted Russian energy infrastructure. Previous strikes have been reported on oil depots and refineries in several regions, causing fires and occasional injuries. However, the high number of casualties in this attack would be among the most significant reported so far.
Civilian casualties have continued to rise on both sides. Russia regularly launches large-scale aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities. Last week, a combined drone and missile strike on Kyiv killed at least 21 people. In Kharkiv, near the front line, five people were killed in a Russian artillery attack overnight.
The latest incidents demonstrate the war's persistent and devastating impact on civilians. As the conflict enters a prolonged phase, neither side has shown signs of de-escalation. Diplomatic efforts have so far made little progress, and the toll on ordinary people continues to mount. Both sides have accused each other of targeting civilians, and international calls for restraint have intensified without effect.
