The number of victims as a result of today's drone attack on an enterprise in Elabuga has increased to 12 people, the Unified Duty Dispatch Service (UDDS) told RBC.
All victims are students of the Alabuga Polytech College, which is located in special economic zone of the same name, the agency’s interlocutor in the EDDS clarified.
The Shot Telegram channel, without specifying sources, wrote that among the victims were students from South Sudan, Zimbabwe and Nigeria, as well as a minor citizen of Rwanda.
Later, a Business Online correspondent who came to the local central district hospital reported that students from Africa were injured in Yelabuga.
After the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the special economic zone “Alabuga” organized the production of Iranian “Shahed” drones, to which Polytech students are involved, journalists from the “Protocol” publication found out.
Several students, on condition of anonymity, told reporters that sometimes they have to work for several days “without sleep and practically without food,” and the refusal to assemble dronesnot provided. Students spoke of intimidation from the management of the educational institution and special training agreements prohibiting the disclosure of information about Alabuga.
The telegram channel “Caution, News” wrote that today a complex of eight hostels, which was built in 2022 for employees of the special economic zone and college students, was damaged. Baza also reported that the blow hit the hostel.
In the photo of eyewitnesses there was a destroyed two-story building with the inscription “Heron” — this is one of the buildings of the hostel for students.
“There is no serious destruction, the technological process of the enterprises has not been disrupted. In Yelabuga, unfortunately, there are premises damaged as a result of the destruction,” the Tatarstan government commented on the attack. They clarified that three people were hospitalized.
Early in the morning of April 2, drones also attacked the Nizhnekamsk Taneko oil refinery, part of Tatneft. The mayor of the city, Ramil Mullin, told TASS that the drone “was neutralized by the electronic warfare system, there were no casualties or destruction.” The emergency services reported a fire at the workplace. Baza, without indicating a source, wrote about three victims.
The Russian Ministry of Defense did not comment on the explosions in Tatarstan. RBC-Ukraine, citing sources, calls the drone attack the work of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.