Forest fire caused by Ukrainian drone strike approaches ‘Putin’s palace’ in southern Russia

A forest fire caused by a Ukrainian drone attack near the town of Gelendzhik, in southern Russia, appears to be approaching one of Vladimir Putin’s luxury residences in the area, independent media outlet IStories reported on Thursday.

The fire broke out on Thursday, regional authorities have reported, spreading across at least 14 hectares and reaching Tyomnaya Shchel, a picturesque valley by the Black Sea.

Earlier in the day, the Russian Defence Ministry reported that air defence systems had shot down 18 drones over the region and a further 22 over the adjacent Black Sea overnight.

IStories pointed out that Tyomnaya Shchel is a mere four kilometres from Cape Idokopas, where one of Putin’s residences is located. According to an investigation by Alexey Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), some 7,000 hectares surrounding “Putin’s palace” belong to Russia’s Federal Security Service. It remains unclear if the palace itself suffered damage as a result of the drone attack.

While the FBK said the palace and park ensemble was built for Putin on a site covering an area of 67.9 hectares near the village of Praskoveyevka, 20km from Gelendzhik, on the Black Sea coast, the Russian authorities have repeatedly denied that the property belongs to Putin.