(NIZHNEKAMSK, TATARSTAN) – A major oil refinery deep inside Russia has been struck by Ukrainian drones for the second time in as many months, triggering fires and causing significant casualties among workers.
The TANECO refinery complex in Nizhnekamsk, Tatarstan, located more than 1,200 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, was hit overnight. The facility boasts a reported processing capacity of 15 million tonnes of crude oil per year, making it one of Russia’s largest such installations.
Footage circulating online shows multiple plumes of smoke and fire rising over the sprawling industrial site. However, some of the smoke appeared to emanate from operational chimneys rather than areas of direct damage.
Russian authorities reported that 12 workers were killed in the strike and 39 others were injured. The casualty count is unusually high for this type of attack, as Ukrainian drones typically target unoccupied processing towers. Analysts suggest a jammed drone may have veered into a populated section of the plant, or that the presence of repair crews working on a previously damaged tower contributed to the toll.
The TANECO refinery occupies a vast footprint, dominating the landscape of Nizhnekamsk alongside other heavy industrial facilities. The repeated strikes underscore Ukraine’s growing capacity to project force far beyond the frontline, placing critical Russian energy infrastructure at persistent risk.
The video footage of the incident was released by the Suchomimus channel, which cited Ukrainian drone units as the source.
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