Russia says Ukrainian drone attack on holiday-makers killed seven, including 3 children

Russia stated on Monday that a Ukrainian drone attack on its Black Sea holiday resort of Gelendzhik resulted in seven fatalities, including three children, and left 40 people injured. The regional governor, Veniamin Kondratyev, condemned the incident as a "deliberate attack by the Kyiv regime on the civilian population, which has no connection whatsoever to military infrastructure."

Social media footage, verified by Reuters, depicts what seems to be a drone impacting a crowded beach area near Gelendzhik, followed by a significant explosion. While Kondratyev initially spoke of falling drone fragments, suggesting potential air defense engagement, it remains unclear if electronic jamming or other defensive measures were employed before the drone struck.

A specialized medical disaster team was dispatched to the scene in Arkhipo-Osipovka, a holiday village within the Gelendzhik resort area. Local authorities reported that 21 individuals, including three children, required hospitalization, with nine in serious condition. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, cited by TASS news agency, characterized Ukraine's actions as terrorism. Ukraine has not yet commented on the incident.

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What happened today was a deliberate attack by the Kyiv regime on the civilian population, which has no connection whatsoever to military infrastructure.