Russian facilities have been targeted regularly by drones over the past several weeks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 (Image: Getty)
A drone attack described as “massive” has been launched deep inside Russia early on Monday, regional Russian authorities said. They accused Ukraine of launching the deadly strike on the TANECO oil refinery, owned by Russian oil company Tatneft, in the Tatarstan region, over 600 miles into the country.
Radmir Belyayev, mayor of Nizhnekamsk in Tatarstan, claimed at least 12 people were killed, while the regional press service said 48 were injured. Local investigators said a child was among the dead, according to Russian media. The region declared a day of mourning following the “massive” assault, state news agency Tass reports.
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Ukraine is launching more frequent deep-strike drone attacks. (Image: AP)
A total of 75 people needed medical attention after the attack, 21 of whom were taken to hospital.
Russian Foreign Ministry ambassador Rodion Miroshnik accused Ukraine of “outright terrorist attacks” in comments shared by Tass. He said: “A whole series of outright terrorist attacks is under way.
“In just the last two days, the number of civilian casualties in just two incidents has already exceeded 80 people. These are colossal numbers that indicate a deliberate escalation.”
This comes as Ukraine’s Defence Ministry said 1,476 Russian personnel have now been killed in the past 24 hours alone, along with 1,746 drones, 48 artillery systems, and 13 armoured fighting vehicles.
Neither Russia nor Ukraine release regular updates on their war casualties. Kyiv has been ramping up its deep-strike drone attacks as they become more routine in its military operations.
Images captured by the Associated Press on Thursday showed soldiers preparing a Chhaklun strike drone for action against Russia in occupied Crimea.
The same day, Volodymyr Zelensky announced that oil facilities deep inside Russia had been struck in night-time attacks.
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A refinery in Bashkortostan, over 800 miles behind the eastern frontline, and one in Yaroslavl, nearly 400 miles from the border, were both hit.
Recent advancements in drone technology have allowed Ukraine to repeatedly strike Russian military energy facilities in areas like the Saratov and Tatarstan regions, both more than 600 miles away.
It has also previously targeted the TANECO oil refinery, one of Russia’s largest and most advanced, causing a fire to break out in June.
The facility produces more petrol, diesel and jet fuel from each tonne of crude oil than many others, as it leaves behind less waste.
Elsehwere, Ukraine hit Russia’s biggest oil refinery in Omsk, more than 1,500 miles from its border, forcing it to halt operations in July.