Morning opening: 12 killed, 39 injured as Ukraine steps up attacks on Russian oil refining facilities

Jakub Krupa

Jakub Krupa

A Ukrainian drone attack on the city of Nizhnekamsk in Russia’s Tatarstan region killed 12 people and wounded 39 others, Russian authorities said.

The city, some 1,000 kilometers within Russia, hosts a major oil refinery, with facilities long targeted by Ukrainian army. Ukraine previously hit the facility in June.

Russia said it shot down 456 Ukrainian drones, without specifying how many of them reached their targets.

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy Photograph: Alex Brandon/AP

In his regular nightly address, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that continuing strikes on oil refining facilities were directly linked with putting more pressure on Moscow.

“The only reason this is still continuing is Russia’s unwillingness to end this war,” he said.

Agencies said it was one of Kyiv’s most deadly attacks of the full-scale war since 2022.

Elsewhere, I will be keeping an eye on the row between Spain and Italy, after Madrid reintroduced border checks on visitors from Italy in response to Rome imposing similar measures after a mass rush of people from Morocco into Ceuta.

Italy’s authorities were left frustrated by the move, with the country’s foreign minister calling it “completely unacceptable,” as tourists faced border delays.

It’s Monday, 10 August 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.

Good morning.

Share

Key events

Up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers expected to be deployed in Russia, Ukraine says

Up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers will be deployed in Russia, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said, while calling on South Korea to provide support for Ukraine’s air defence.

It is an increase from the estimated 30,000 announced by the Ukrainian president in July.

Kyiv had found some North Korean missiles in Ukraine’s territory, he said.

“It is absolutely clear that ⁠North Korea will continue to build its experience in modern warfare, receive licences from Russia, and receive all ​kinds of military tools from them.”

Share

#Ukraine #launches #drone #attack #Russian #oil #refining #facilities #Europe #live #World #news