Ukraine drone strikes on Russian oil hub kill 12, officials say

Ukraine has hit Russian oil facilities with long-range drones almost daily in recent months. The latest attack, on the city of Nizhnekamsk, killed 12 people, according to Russian authorities. The strikes have caused fuel shortages inside Russia and have shaken public confidence. The barrage targets refineries and storage sites deep inside Russian territory, forcing Moscow to divert resources to protect critical energy infrastructure. Officials in Nizhnekamsk, located in the republic of Tatarstan, confirmed the death toll on Tuesday. The city is home to one of Russia’s largest oil refining complexes. The repeated drone assaults mark a shift in Ukraine’s strategy, aiming to disrupt Russian fuel supplies and logistics. While Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility for each strike, the pattern of attacks points to a coordinated campaign. The growing frequency of these operations has unsettled Russian citizens, who now face fuel shortages in several regions. Local authorities have introduced rationing measures in some areas as demand outpaces supply. The Kremlin has not issued a full statement on the latest deaths. However, independent analysts note that the psychological impact on the Russian public may be as significant as the physical damage to oil infrastructure.