Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy linked the continued fighting to Russia’s refusal to end the war. File photo: X/@ZelenskyyUa
Ukraine attacks Russia’s oil hub; 12 killed, 39 injured
Nizhnekamsk hit alongside civilian areas as Moscow reports 456 Ukrainian drones intercepted across 15 regions
At least 12 people were killed and 39 others injured after a Ukrainian drone barrage struck industrial and civilian areas in Russia’s Tatarstan region on Monday (August 10), according to local authorities. The attack targeted the city of Nizhnekamsk, one of Russia’s major oil-processing hubs.
Nizhnekamsk Mayor Radmir Belyayev said the strikes hit both industrial facilities and nearby civilian areas, resulting in the casualties. Unverified videos circulating on social media, showed thick black smoke rising over the industrial zone.
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Tatarstan head Rustam Minnikhanov announced a period of mourning following the attack, Belyayev said.
Nizhnekamsk was attacked earlier too
Nizhnekamsk is home to the TANECO refinery, operated by oil company Tatneft, as well as other major petrochemical facilities. The refinery processed about 17 million tonnes of crude oil in 2024, producing around 2.7 million tonnes of gasoline and 8.5 million tonnes of diesel, according to figures cited by Russian and international reports.
The facility has previously been targeted in Ukrainian drone attacks. In June, Ukrainian drones struck energy and petrochemical infrastructure in Tatarstan, including facilities in the Nizhnekamsk industrial area.
‘Hundreds of drones intercepted’
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its air defences intercepted 456 Ukrainian drones across 15 regions during the latest barrage, including 23 that were reportedly heading towards Moscow.
The drone attacks also prompted temporary restrictions on air traffic in Tatarstan, with flights suspended at two regional airports as authorities responded to the threat.
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The latest strike was part of Ukraine’s intensified campaign against Russian energy infrastructure. Kyiv has repeatedly targeted oil refineries and other facilities in an effort to disrupt Russia’s fuel production and put pressure on the revenues that help finance Moscow’s war effort. The attacks have contributed to disruptions in Russia’s fuel supply, although Russian authorities have said many of the earlier shortages have since eased.
Ukraine steps up strikes
The Tatarstan attack follows a series of Ukrainian operations against Russian military and energy targets in recent days.
On August 8-9, Ukrainian forces reportedly targeted a Russian radar and air-defence tracking system near Gelendzhik. Ukraine also said on August 9 that naval drones and patrol boats had struck three Russian cargo ships and oil tankers operating in the Black Sea.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has defended the long-range strikes as part of Kyiv’s strategy to take the war to Russian territory and weaken the energy infrastructure that supports Moscow’s military campaign.
Zelensky reacts
In a statement accompanying a video on X, Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s operations against Russian oil-refining facilities would continue. He also said Russian air-defence systems and radar stations had been targeted, while Ukrainian forces had carried out strikes against infrastructure in the Azov and Black Sea regions.
Zelensky linked the continued fighting to Russia’s refusal to end the war, while saying Kyiv would continue diplomatic contacts with mediators and seek additional air-defence support.