Moscow: Uzbekistan has dispatched a special task force to Russia after a Ukrainian drone attack resulted in the deaths of eight Uzbek citizens at industrial facilities in the Tatarstan region, as confirmed by the Uzbek Emergency Situations Ministry on Monday. The task force aims to assist those injured and support the families of the victims.

According to Anadolu Agency, the task force comprises representatives from Uzbekistan's ministries of emergency situations, foreign affairs, and health, along with the Agency for Migration and other relevant authorities. In a statement, the ministry emphasized that the task force is "taking all necessary measures" to address the aftermath of the attack.

In response to the tragedy, the Uzbek government has formed a commission led by Deputy Prime Minister Ochilboy Ramatov. The commission is set to organize a special flight to repatriate the bodies of the victims to Uzbekistan and offer assistance to their families. Officials from Uzbekistan's Consulate General in Kazan and the Agency for Migration are collaborating with Russian authorities on the ground.

The drone attack, which targeted facilities in Tatarstan, claimed the lives of 13 people overall, including a child, according to Russian authorities. More than 70 individuals required medical attention, with 25 being hospitalized. Victims included citizens from both Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

In the wake of the incident, Russia's Investigative Committee has launched a criminal case on terrorism charges. Tatarstan authorities have declared a period of mourning to honor the victims. This attack is part of a series of Ukrainian long-range drone strikes against Russian regions, with Moscow accusing Kyiv of intentionally targeting civilian and industrial sites.