Ukraine has confirmed a drone strike on the Taneko oil refinery in Russia's Tatarstan region, an attack the local mayor said killed at least 13 people as Kyiv escalates its campaign against Moscow's economy.
Key facts
- Ukraine hit the Taneko refinery in the industrial city of Nizhnekamsk, around 1,200km (750 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
- At least 13 people were killed, according to the local mayor.
- A separate fire broke out at an industrial facility in Russia's Tyumen region in Siberia after several drones fell on it, the regional governor said.
- Ukraine's general staff said the raid aimed to reduce the 'military potential of the Russian aggressor.'
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said strikes on such facilities were directly linked to putting more pressure on Moscow.
Ukraine has confirmed a drone strike on an oil refinery deep inside Russia, in what the Guardian described as one of the deadliest long-range attacks launched by Kyiv to date. The strike targeted the Taneko refinery in the industrial city of Nizhnekamsk, in Russia’s Tatarstan region, roughly 1,200km (750 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
According to the local mayor, the “massive” attack killed at least 13 people. Footage circulating online appeared to show smoke rising from the refinery in the city, the Guardian reported.
Ukraine’s general staff said the raid was part of a campaign to reduce the “military potential of the Russian aggressor.” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that strikes on such facilities were directly linked with putting more pressure on Moscow.
The strike is part of a broader effort by Kyiv to weaken Moscow’s economy by hitting targets far from the frontline. The distance involved underscores the growing reach of Ukraine’s long-range drone operations.
In a separate incident, a fire broke out at an industrial facility in Russia’s Tyumen region in Siberia after several drones fell on it, according to Tyumen region governor Alexander Moor, who spoke on his Telegram channel. The account was reported by Reuters.
The developments reflect Ukraine’s intensifying campaign of deep strikes inside Russian territory, extending well beyond the immediate combat zones near the border.
Why it matters
Ukraine's ability to strike targets more than 1,000km inside Russia signals a significant expansion of its long-range capabilities and its strategy of targeting the Russian economy. The high death toll marks one of the deadliest such attacks, raising the stakes in an increasingly far-reaching conflict.
Frequently asked questions
Where did Ukraine's drone strike hit?
Ukraine said it struck the Taneko refinery in the industrial city of Nizhnekamsk, in Russia's Tatarstan region, around 1,200km (750 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
How many people were killed?
At least 13 people were killed, according to the local mayor cited by the Guardian.
Why is Ukraine targeting Russian oil refineries?
Ukraine's general staff said the raid was part of a campaign to reduce the 'military potential of the Russian aggressor,' and President Zelenskyy said such strikes were directly linked to putting more pressure on Moscow.