Drone Strike Triggers Four-Day Fire Near Putin’s Black Sea Mansion

A large wildfire broke out near the so-called palace of Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the Krasnodar region following the crash of a drone. The blaze took four days to contain.

According to regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev, the fire occurred near the village of Krinitsa, less than 10 kilometers from Cape Idokopas, where the residence is located.

More than 500 personnel and over 100 pieces of equipment, including two Mi-8 helicopters, were deployed to extinguish the fire. Local authorities reported that more than 20 people were temporarily trapped on the coastline and later evacuated.

Russian media reported that the blaze started on the morning of August 28 after drone debris fell in the area.

The operational headquarters of Krasnodar region stated that the crash also caused a fire at an oil refinery installation, alongside forest fires near Gelendzhik. Ukrainian General Staff confirmed that on the same night Ukrainian forces had targeted several Russian oil refineries, including the Afipsky plant in Krasnodar region.

The estate on Cape Idokopas, often referred to as “Putin’s Palace,” became widely known after an investigative report in January 2021. Russian outlets note that Putin has reduced visits to his official residence in Sochi, last recorded in March 2024.

At the time of the fire, Putin was on a four-day visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, attending events marking the anniversary of the end of World War II.

Earlier, following a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on the Shahed drone assembly plant in Yelabuga, Russia began constructing improvised defense towers equipped with Pantsir air-defense systems. The move signals serious damage to the facility and highlights Moscow’s concern over future attacks that could cripple its drone supply chain.

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