The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces announced on 10/8 that it used long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to strike the Taneko oil refinery. This facility, operated by the Tatneft oil and gas group, is located in the industrial city of Nizhnekamsk, Tatarstan region, in central Russia, over 1,000 km from the Ukrainian border. Ukraine stated the attack is part of a campaign to "reduce Russia's military potential."
The Tatarstan regional press service confirmed the Ukrainian attack on Nizhnekamsk on the same day, reporting at least 13 fatalities and 75 injuries, with 21 people hospitalized.
The Russian Investigative Committee stated that a child was among the deceased. According to local authorities, victims also included citizens from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The resource-rich Tatarstan region hosts several large oil refineries. These facilities are frequent targets for Kyiv's long-range UAV strikes deep within Russian territory.
Ukrainian local officials previously accused Russian forces of shelling Bugaivka village in the Kharkov region, killing 5 people and destroying numerous homes.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has entered its fifth year with no signs of de-escalation, as both sides continue to launch attacks. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have shot down 456 Ukrainian UAVs during an attack on the night of 9/8, but did not disclose how many UAVs successfully hit their targets.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian air force reported that Russia used 126 UAVs in its attack on Ukraine last night.
Ukraine recently concluded its "40-day pressure campaign," primarily targeting oil refineries, fuel depots, logistics centers, airports, and other sites deep within Russia and Russian-controlled areas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on 6/8 ordered preparations for a "special punitive operation" aimed at Russia's defense industry.
Ngoc Anh (According to AFP, Reuters)
