A significant fire broke out at an oil depot near Sochi, a popular resort on Russia's Black Sea coast, which Moscow has linked to a drone strike from Ukraine. Authorities in the Krasnodar region reported that the drone debris struck a fuel tank, prompting an emergency response that involved 127 firefighters working tirelessly to contain the blaze before it was finally extinguished. The incident led to a temporary suspension of flights at the airport used during the 2014 Winter Olympics, affecting travel in the area.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of escalation, with Russian forces conducting airstrikes on various Ukrainian targets, including a bridge in Kherson that left one person dead and several others injured. Ukrainian officials disclosed that recent Russian attacks claimed several civilian lives, with seven reported deaths across Kherson and Donetsk over the weekend.
In a notable counteraction, Russian officials claimed that Ukraine launched multiple drone attacks over the weekend, targeting not just Sochi but also cities in central Russia such as Ryazan and Voronezh. It was reported that local intervals saw injuries due to these strikes. Ukraine has historically targeted Russia's energy infrastructure in retaliation to consistent attacks on its own.
The aerial conflict intensified with both sides claiming significant drone losses; Russia's defense ministry stated it intercepted a significant number of Ukrainian drones, while Ukraine claimed to have shot down many projectiles launched by Russia targeting its territory. The exchanges of drone and missile attacks highlight the increasing willingness of both nations to escalate military efforts as civilian areas suffer devastating consequences.
In Kherson, local authorities have called for a partial evacuation of residents following renewed attacks on critical infrastructure, particularly the critical Ostrivsky bridge. The damage to this bridge, already weakened from previous strikes, has left around 1,800 people in the connected district vulnerable.
This weekend's hostilities come after a particularly severe week of conflict that saw substantial civilian casualties, including a massive strike on Kyiv that killed at least 31 individuals. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged for increased international sanctions against Russia, while U.S. President Donald Trump has condemned the actions of Moscow and indicated forthcoming sanctions.
