Morning opening: 12 killed, 39 injured as Ukraine steps up attacks on Russian oil refining facilities
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.
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.
Key events
Russian central bank tells banks to provide support to businesses hit by attacks on warehouses
The Russian central bank has advised creditors to support businesses affected by Ukrainian attacks on logistics centres and warehouses, according to a letter from the bank published on Monday and reported by Reuters.
Affected businesses should be able to apply to restructure their loans, the regulator said.
At least 20 warehouses belonging to Russian e-commerce retailer Wildberries have been attacked by Ukraine since 18 July.
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.”
Five dead after Russian attack on Ukraine’s Kharkiv region
Meanwhile, at least five people died in a Russian strike on Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, regional prosecutor’s office said.
“On 10 August, Russian forces carried out a massive artillery strike on the residential area of the village of Bugaivka in the Chuguiv district. Various houses were destroyed as a result of the enemy attack. Five people were killed,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement on Telegram, quoted by AFP.
Morning opening: 12 killed, 39 injured as Ukraine steps up attacks on Russian oil refining facilities
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.
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.
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