Russian rubber plant, oil refineries struck by Ukrainian drones in latest overnight attack, military confirms
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Two Russian oil refineries in Russia's Tatarstan and a major rubber plant in Samara Oblast were damaged during Ukraine's latest mass attack on Russian regions overnight on June 12, Ukraine's General Staff reported.
Ukrainian drones struck the Tolyatti rubber factory, on the Volga River in Samara Oblast in the morning hours of June 12, leading to a fire at the facility. Photos and videos posted to social media emerging on the morning of the attack showed long-range drones over the city of Tolyatti.
Later in the day, the General Staff confirmed the attack, as well as damage to the plant, the products of which used in the "further production of solid rocket fuel for tactical and ballistic missiles."
Russia's Republic of Tatarstan, also on the Volga, was also targeted, with damage reported to refining and petrochemicals facilities.
Large plumes of smoke rose above the city of Nizhnekamsk, home to the Tatarstan Oil Refining Complex and TAIF-NK refinery, two large but separate refining complexes located in the same industrial zone.
According to the General Staff, both facilities were hit.
A fire was also seen at the Nizhnekamskneftekhim (NKNK) synthetic rubber plant in the city.
Located over 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) from the closest point to Ukraine's border, Nizhnekamsk is one of the largest petrochemical enterprises in Eastern Europe.
The city has previously been the target of reported Ukrainian attacks, including as recently as May.
The Kyiv Independent cannot independently verify the the extent of the damage caused to the facilities.
Ukraine has increasingly relied on domestically produced drones to strike targets deep inside Russia, particularly facilities tied to oil refining, logistics, and defense production that drive Russia's war effort.
The latest Ukrainian attacks on Russia come as Putin dismissed on June 5 President Volodymyr Zelensky's open letter calling for the immediate reopening of peace negotiations.
