A Ukrainian drone attack struck a crowded beach area near the Russian Black Sea resort of Gelendzhik on Sunday, killing at least six people including three children and wounding approximately 40 others, according to regional authorities.
Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev confirmed the casualties and said the strike damaged civilian infrastructure in the resort area along the Black Sea coast. Russia’s defense ministry said it intercepted over 1,100 drones launched by Ukraine in the past 24 hours but acknowledged the attack on the resort.
The strike targeted what Russian officials described as a popular holiday destination during the peak summer tourism season. Footage shared on social media showed emergency responders treating victims on the beach and evacuating wounded civilians to nearby hospitals.
The attack represents a significant escalation in Ukraine’s targeting of Russian territory far from the front lines. Gelendzhik is located approximately 300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border and has been considered a relatively safe area for Russian tourists throughout the conflict.
Ukrainian military intelligence has not officially claimed responsibility for the strike, though officials in Kyiv have previously said that Russian recreational facilities near military installations are legitimate targets. The resort is home to several facilities used by Russian military and government officials.
The incident follows a pattern of Ukrainian long-range drone strikes targeting Russian infrastructure and military-linked sites deep inside the country. Earlier this week, Ukraine struck Wildberries logistics centers and drone development facilities in Russian border regions.
Sources: The Telegraph, RT, Reuters
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