Russia claims drones attacked facilities near Putin’s palace

Russian authorities reported that Ukrainian drones attacked objects near the Black Sea resort of Gelendzhik in the Krasnodar region, where investigations suggest President Vladimir Putin’s opulent seaside residence is located.

The Governor of Krasnodar Oblast, Veniamin Kondratiеv, said: “Two Ukrainian drones were ‘neutralized’ overnight in the area of ​​the villages of Primorski and Dzhanchot,” Debris reportedly damaged an unfinished house and trees.

The Russian Defense Ministry had previously claimed that four drones had been destroyed in the oblast. The Ukrainian government has not commented on these allegations, but numerous investigations suggest that the area around Dzhanhot is home to a sprawling estate nicknamed “Putin’s Palace.”

“In the village of Prymorskoye, a winery called ‘Old Provence’ has just been built to process the grapes grown on the estate,” the report said.

In 2021, Putin denied ownership of the property, stating: “This palace does not belong to me. I have never been there.” However, there are hints of links to his inner circle. Businessman Arkady Rotenberg, a close ally of Putin, identified himself as the owner. Neither Rotenberg nor Putin have commented on the status of the palace since 2021.

Before Putin took office for a fifth term in early May, confidants of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny published videos and photos allegedly showing the interiors of the Gelendzhik Palace.

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