Seven Uzbek citizens have been killed in a drone strike on the Russian city of Nizhnekamsk in Tatarstan, Uzbekistan’s Consulate General has confirmed. At least 13 people died and 75 were injured in the attack earlier on Monday, according to local authorities.
«The Consulate General expresses its deepest condolences to the families and relatives of the deceased citizens,» reads the Consulate’s statement released on Monday. It confirmed the death of seven Uzbek nationals, identifying them only by their initials. The diplomats worked with Russian authorities to arrange for the repatriation of the victims’ bodies.
Earlier on Monday, media reports emerged of a huge explosion that followed a drone strike on the town of Nizhnelkamsk in Russia’s republic of Tatarstan. Local officials told the state news agency RIA Novosti that a total of 13 people were killed, including a child, while 75 others sought medical assistance and 21 were hospitalised.
Tatarstan authorities later said that nationals of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were among those killed.
Drone strike targets Tatneft oil refinery
Russian media stopped short of disclosing the exact target hit by the drone attack. The Ukrainian General Staff said on social media that its forces struck the TANECO oil refinery in Nizhnekamsk overnight.
TANECO, operated by Russian oil producer Tatneft, is a major refining complex in Tatarstan. Russian independent media outlet Astra suggested the strike targeted Nizhnekamskneftekhim, one of Europe’s largest petrochemical facilities and part of Russia’s Sibur holding.
Russian investigators have opened a terrorism case over the Nizhnekamsk attack, while Tatarstan declared a period of mourning for those killed.
