Arabic version: مقتل سبعة في ضربة بطائرة مسيّرة على شاطئ روسي

According to BBC News, a drone struck a busy beach near the Black Sea village of Arkhipo-Osipovka in southern Russia, killing seven people, including three children. Krasnodar region governor Veniamin Kondratyev said 40 people were injured and 17 were taken to hospital.

Footage verified by the BBC showed a drone hurtling towards a cliffside before crashing in a fireball on the beach, while tourists watched from the shore and water. Kondratyev accused Ukraine of carrying out “a deliberate strike on civilians”. Ukraine had not commented, and both sides deny deliberately targeting civilians.

It remained unclear what the drone was targeting. Some Ukrainian Telegram channels said electronic warfare may have jammed its signal, causing it to crash on the beach. Russian media quoted eyewitnesses who said gunfire came before the explosion, suggesting air defences may have tried to shoot it down. Tourists and residents also told local media that no sirens sounded before the attack.

The beach is in a popular Russian holiday destination known for its warm climate, long coastline and tourist infrastructure. The strike follows an increase in Ukrainian long-range attacks inside Russia, including against energy infrastructure and warehouses that Kyiv says are used for military purposes. Russia has also launched attacks on Ukrainian residential areas and cities since its full-scale invasion began in February 2022.