Drone Falls Near ‘Putin’s Palace’ in Russia, Killing Four People

Four people, including a child, were killed and 10 others were wounded after a drone fell on a crowded beach near Gelendzhik in Russia’s Krasnodar region, local authorities reported. According to the Moscow Times on Monday, the incident occurred in the resort village of Arkhipo-Osipovka, about 22 kilometers (14 miles) in a straight line from the luxury Black Sea estate widely known as “Putin’s Palace.”JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The Krasnodar regional emergency headquarters said minors were among the wounded. The latest figures revised an earlier statement by regional Gov. Veniamin Kondratyev, who initially reported three deaths and 13 injuries. Russian authorities blamed a Ukrainian drone and claimed that the attack had targeted “civilian infrastructure,” but provided no further details about its intended destination. Ukraine had not commented on the incident at the time of publication. A video published appears to show a drone approaching the beach amid sustained gunfire. The aircraft then abruptly changed directions and fell near beachgoers before exploding. The drone had been intercepted by a Russian mobile fire group positioned on the beach. Witness accounts posted in a local VKontakte group also suggested that Russian air defenses had engaged drones over the area. “The drone was circling above us in Krinitsa and made two passes over the beach,” one subscriber wrote, adding that it subsequently flew toward Arkhipo-Osipovka. Other Topics of Interest WATCH: Ukraine Unleashes FPV-Carrying Magura Sea Drones Against Russian Targets on Land Ukraine’s military intelligence says its latest Magura maritime platforms carried FPV drones that struck two Russian radar-related targets in occupied Crimea. Another user claimed that one drone crashed into a mountain after being shot down, while a second fell on the beach near the Rassvet recreation center following an interception. Commenters said they had not heard air-raid sirens before the incident. Reported target linked to Russian missile industry Supernova telegram channel claimed the intended target was a private recreation facility associated with NPO Mashinostroyeniya, a Russian defense enterprise based in Reutov outside Moscow. According to the channel, the drone came down approximately 300 meters (984 feet) short of the facility, where it claimed missile designers were staying. It also alleged that a Russian mobile fire group had been deployed on the nearby beach. NPO Mashinostroyeniya develops and manufactures combat systems involving cruise missiles, as well as rocket and spacecraft technology. The Kremlin has described the company as a leading Russian manufacturer of missiles and military spacecraft. The enterprise is also listed in Ukraine’s sanctions database as specializing in combat systems equipped with cruise missiles. Close to Putin “Putin’s Palace” is the Kremlin chief’s Italianate palace complex located on the Black Sea coast near Gelendzhik, Krasnodar Krai. It was the focus of an investigation by late opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his Anti-Corruption Foundation, which accused Putin of using fraudulently obtained funds to construct the estate. Navalny claimed that it had cost over 100 billion rubles ($1.35 billion) to build, and the allegations – as well as Navalny’s arrest just days before the investigation had been released – sparked anti-corruption protests across Russia. The investigation said the compound included a restaurant, helicopter pad, underground ice rink, church, amphitheater, guesthouse, and an 80-meter (262 feet) bridge. It also described a swimming pool with an “aqua disco,” spas, saunas, Turkish baths, and extensive food-production facilities inside the main building. Navalny’s team alleged that the surrounding 7,000 hectares were controlled by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). The FSB previously confirmed that a no-fly zone had been imposed over the area but said it was intended to protect the Black Sea coast from foreign intelligence activity. In response, the Russian authorities denied that the property, which at the time of construction boasted an “aquatic disco,” hookah lounge, casino, pole-dancing room, and a room for miniature railroads, belonged to Putin. In 2024, Russian opposition website “Proekt” claimed that the palace had been refurbished to reflect the Russian president’s newfound fixation with religion, writing: “The renovated version does not feature a casino, a striptease hall, or an arcade room. Instead, it has a chapel housing an icon of Saint Vladimir, Putin’s patron saint.” Putin is said to have become increasingly paranoid in recent years about attempts on his life by Ukraine’s special services. In October 2024, Proekt published a video claiming that Putin had demolished his palatial holiday villa in Sochi, fearing it could be vulnerable to Ukrainian drone attacks. Putin had previously hosted venerated guests at the villa, including US President George Bush and UK Prime Minister David Cameron, where he was also said to have spent at least 40 days a year. It was also previously reported by Russian independent outlet Verstka that Putin had begun to fear for his life in 2023, after drones targeted the wealthy Rublyovka neighborhood west of Moscow, home to the lavish villas of Russian political and business elites. The neighborhood also houses Putin’s Novo-Ogaryovo suburban state residence, which had been a favorite of the Russian president since the start of his second tenure and was unofficially dubbed his de facto residence. Also in 2023, a Russian former elite intelligence officer told Russia’s investigative Dossier Center that Putin is “pathologically afraid” for his life, taking measures such as building identical offices in several residences across Russia for television appearances in order to obscure his real location. Kateryna investigates today's most important topics, from geopolitical challenges and defense strategies to stories that change the course of events. She explores the secrets of Ukraine's intelligence services and shows the hidden side of global events. Her passion is uncovering secrets that change history. Born and lives in Kyiv.