Kathmandu— At least thirteen people were killed and thirty-nine wounded after a Ukrainian drone attack struck the Russian city of Nizhnekamsk in the Republic of Tatarstan on Monday, authorities reported. Ukraine’s military confirmed it targeted an oil facility in the region, approximately 800km (497 miles) east of Moscow. The attack, which Russia has labeled a “terrorist act” and is investigating as such, hit both industrial facilities and civilians according to officials, prompting Tatarstan to declare a day of mourning. This strike follows similar attacks on the same industrial zone in June and July.

Deadly Strike and Regional Response

Regional head Rustam Minnikhanov condemned the attack as “barbaric,” stating that civilian infrastructure was impacted, in a post to Telegram. Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for the Investigative Committee of Russia, confirmed that a child was among those killed and emphasized that Kyiv targeted civilians with no connection to military operations. The Russian defense ministry reported intercepting over 450 Ukrainian drones overnight as both sides continue heavy attacks.

Strategic Importance of Nizhnekamsk

Nizhnekamsk is a key hub for Russia’s oil exports, housing one of the country's largest and most advanced refineries. Ukraine’s military asserted that it successfully struck this site in its overnight attack. Al Jazeera’s Yulia Shapovalova reported from Moscow that the drone strikes are part of a broader strategy to disrupt Russia’s war economy by targeting fuel production and logistics, while also exposing vulnerabilities in Russian air defenses.

Escalating Long-Range Attacks

The attack on Nizhnekamsk represents one of Ukraine's largest coordinated long-range strikes to date. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Sunday that attacks on Russian oil refineries would continue, asserting that Moscow is “beginning to feel” the consequences. He also indicated plans to discuss peace efforts with mediators this week and announced anticipated delivery of new air defense systems in the coming days.

Investigations into potential war crimes are underway following the attack, while Ukraine continues its long-range strikes targeting Russian infrastructure.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.