Uzbekistan prepares repatriation of citizens killed in Tatarstan drone attack

Uzbekistan has sent a special commission to Russia’s Tatarstan region to arrange the repatriation of citizens killed in a Ukrainian drone attack, acting on an order from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Uzbek government said.

According to preliminary information, eight Uzbek nationals were among those killed. They had been working as construction workers at an enterprise in the city of Nizhnekamsk. Several other Uzbek citizens were injured to varying degrees and hospitalised.

The government established a special commission headed by Deputy Prime Minister Achilbay Ramatov. Its main tasks are to ensure medical assistance for those injured, support the families of the victims and arrange for the bodies to be transported to Uzbekistan on a special flight.

A separate commission has been formed to operate directly in Russia, bringing together officials from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Migration Agency and other relevant agencies.

Staff from Uzbekistan’s Consulate General in Kazan and representatives of the Migration Agency have also arrived at the scene. They are maintaining close contact with Russian counterparts and participating in the necessary emergency response measures.

The attack occurred on the morning of August 10, when Ukrainian drones targeted the city of Nizhnekamsk in Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan. Earlier reports said seven Uzbek nationals had been killed.

The overall death toll from the attack has reached 13 people, including a five-year-old child, while another 75 people sought medical assistance. A period of mourning has been declared in the region.

By Tamilla Hasanova