A drone strike on the Russian Black Sea coast, which local authorities say has killed seven people, occurred in an area that has long been a favourite destination for Russian holidaymakers.
The popularity of Arkhipo-Osipovka, near Gelendzhik, has only increased as overseas travel for Russians is complicated by sanctions and visa restrictions. BBC reported.
Arkhipo-Osipovka is a village but the bigger town of Gelendzhik is only 60km (37 miles) away. Like much of the Black Sea coast, Gelendzhik enjoys warm temperatures in the summer. It has a pebble beach and a long promenade with restaurants and bars, and is popular with families.
In 2021, an investigation by late opposition leader Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation focused on a sprawling and luxurious complex, dubbed "Putin's Palace", located between Arkhipo-Osipovka and Gelendzhik.
The two-hour documentary, published on YouTube, amassed 137m views and detailed the corruption scheme allegedly used to build the colossal palace. It reportedly cost over $1bn, which Navalny called “the largest bribe in history”.
The Operational Headquarters of Krasnodar Krai says that the number of people killed in the drone attack on Arkhipo-Osipovka beach has risen to seven, with three children among the dead.
In a statement on Telegram, the authority says 40 people sustained various injuries in the strike near the Russian Black Sea resort of Gelendzhik.
An additional 21 people were taken to hospital, with 19 people receiving outpatient treatment, it adds.
It's not clear if the drone was intercepted before landing on the beach. Ukraine hasn't yet commented on the strikes.
