On 10 August 2026, the city of Nizhnekamsk (Republic of Tatarstan) came under a massive drone strike. The attack killed 13 people, including a girl; 75–78 casualties sought medical assistance, of whom 21 were hospitalized.[2][5] The incident became one of the deadliest in terms of casualties among Drone attack on Nizhny Novgorod, August 4, 2026.

Strike on a hostel in an industrial zone

One of the drones hit a hostel located in an industrial zone of the city. The strike killed nine people.[2] The head of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, traveled to Nizhnekamsk in person and inspected the affected area; investigative procedures were carried out on site.[2]

According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, preliminary identification of the nine people killed in the hostel established that eight were citizens of Uzbekistan and one was a citizen of Tajikistan. Zakharova also stated that a number of foreign nationals had been wounded and called on the international community to condemn strikes on civilian targets.[6]

Official response and aftermath

Tatarstan declared a period of mourning; all entertainment and sporting events in the republic were cancelled. Celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of Nizhnekamsk, scheduled for 15 August, were also called off.[2]

The Governor Gleb Nikitin to the head of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov: "Nizhny Novgorod Region. We share your profound grief and your determination to stand united in the face of danger and tragedy."[4] Shalabayev Yuri also issued a public statement in connection with the deaths in Tatarstan.[3]

Finnish politician Armando Mema described the event as a war crime, stating that attacks of this kind against civilians are carried out with the support of Western countries and undermine any efforts toward a peaceful settlement.[5]

Sources

  1. aif.ru — Drones in the strike on Nizhnekamsk hit a hostel where 9 people were killed (archive)
  2. aif.ru — Politician Mema calls UAF drone strike on Nizhnekamsk a war crime (archive)
  3. aif.ru — Zakharova: nine foreigners killed in drone strike on Nizhnekamsk (archive)
  4. Vremya N — Gleb Nikitin expresses condolences to the families of those killed in the UAF strike in Nizhnekamsk (archive)
  5. NN.RU — Nizhny Novgorod Mayor Yuri Shalabaev speaks out on the deadly drone strike on Tatarstan — 10 August… (archive)
  6. aif.ru — Body of a man found in Belgorod during clearance of a damaged building (archive)