A Ukrainian drone struck a crowded beach at Russia’s Black Sea resort of Gelendzhik on Monday, killing seven people, including three children, and injuring at least 40 others in one of the deadliest reported attacks on civilians inside Russia since the war began more than four years ago. Russia blamed Ukraine for a deliberate strike on civilians, while Kyiv had not commented on the incident at the time of reporting. Ukraine has consistently said it does not intentionally target civilians, just as Russia has repeatedly denied deliberately striking civilian areas.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show a drone crashing into a busy beach near the resort town before a powerful explosion sent tourists scrambling for safety.
The attack happened just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia was prolonging the war and vowed to keep up military pressure until Moscow had “no alternative but peace”.
Russia said the drone struck the holiday village of Arkhipo-Osipovka, part of the wider Gelendzhik resort on the Black Sea coast, which is a destination packed with holidaymakers during the summer. The Russian Health Ministry said 21 people, including three children, were taken to hospital. Nine of the injured were reported to be in serious condition.
MOSCOW ACCUSES UKRAINE OF ‘TERRORISM’
Russia’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, with spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accusing Ukraine of resorting to terrorism. She later broadened the criticism, accusing Western nations of enabling such attacks.
“Not long ago, Nato and the EU declared a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism,” Zakharova told the state-run TASS news agency.
“Now, they themselves have become part of international terrorist activity.”
The Kremlin has increasingly characterised Ukrainian drone attacks inside Russia as acts of terrorism, particularly after strikes on civilian locations. Last month, Moscow accused Ukrainian forces of killing 11 people, including four children, during an attack on a holiday camp in the Russian-controlled part of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region.
UKRAINE NEVER WANTED THIS WAR, ZELENSKYY SAYS
Only hours before the strike, Zelenskyy told Ukrainian diplomats that Russia had no genuine interest in ending the conflict and was instead trying to prolong it. Speaking in Kyiv, the Ukrainian President said he hoped sustained sanctions, diplomatic pressure and long-range strikes would eventually force Moscow to negotiate.
“It is Ukraine that wants peace.”
“Ukraine has never wanted this war — not for a single day.”
Zelenskyy admitted he could not predict exactly when Russia would be compelled to seek peace but said Ukraine would work to make that happen as early as this autumn.
“We clearly understand who we are dealing with.”
He accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of deliberately extending the conflict.
“Russia is doing everything possible to prolong the war and inflict as much damage on human life as it can.”
QUESTIONS OVER DRONE’S INTENDED TARGET
While Russia insists the beach was deliberately targeted, there has been no independent confirmation of the drone’s intended destination. Videos from the scene captured sustained gunfire moments before the explosion, suggesting Russian air defences were attempting to shoot the drone down. The footage has fuelled speculation that the aircraft may have been intercepted before reaching its intended target or diverted by electronic interference.
Military analysts note that Ukraine has expanded long-range drone operations in recent months, primarily targeting oil refineries, logistics hubs, warehouses and other infrastructure that supports Russia’s war effort.
The Gelendzhik area is also home to several locations regarded as strategically significant. One of the properties long associated with President Vladimir Putin — often referred to by critics as “Putin’s Palace” — is located near Gelendzhik, although there is no indication it was connected to Monday’s incident.
Arkhipo-Osipovka and nearby Gelendzhik are among Russia’s best-known Black Sea holiday destinations.
The region has become even more popular with domestic tourists since international travel became more difficult for many Russians because of sanctions and visa restrictions imposed after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The resort is known for its beaches, waterfront promenade, restaurants and family attractions, drawing thousands of visitors during the summer season.
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With inputs from agencies
