Massive Fire Threatens Putin's Palace on the Black Sea After Ukrainian Drone Attack

In a notable escalation in the ongoing war between Moscow and Kyiv, massive wildfires broke out near what is known in the media as "Putin's Palace" overlooking the Black Sea, following airstrikes carried out by Ukrainian drones that were shot down by Russian air defenses.

The fire, which spread for miles, triggered a wide state of alert, with more than 100 emergency response teams participating in extinguishing it, according to the American newspaper New York Post.

According to official Russian data, the flames came within about 6 miles of the massive palace located at Cape Idokopas near the resort of Gelendzhik, not far from the Crimean Peninsula.

However, a different account was provided by the independent Russian investigative site "I Stories," which confirmed that the fire broke out just 2 miles from the presidential complex, raising questions about the accuracy of official information and the extent of the threat to the heavily fortified residence.

Despite no injuries or fatalities being reported, the fire caused 23 tourists to be stranded due to the density of the smoke, forcing authorities to evacuate them by boat.

So far, no official entity has confirmed whether "Putin's Palace" was the direct target of these airstrikes, amid notable Russian silence.

The controversial palace, which spans about 190,000 square feet, first made global headlines in 2021, after Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny released a documentary revealing details of the massive project costing $1.5 billion, in which he directly accused President Vladimir Putin of financing it through dubious deals with wealthy individuals close to the power.

According to the documentary, the palace includes unprecedented luxurious facilities, including a private casino, a theater, a hockey rink, a private port, and a border checkpoint, as well as a no-fly zone surrounding it.

Navalny went so far as to describe it as a "state within a state," pointing to the existence of underground tunnels equipped with fresh water and advanced ventilation systems, suitable to serve as a fortified shelter for the president and his allies in emergencies.

And despite the Kremlin's denial at the time, independent Russian reports later confirmed that the palace underwent comprehensive renovations in 2024, which included converting the theater and casino into a church adorned with military paintings, which was seen as a reflection of Putin's growing passion for religion and combat symbolism, especially amid rising tensions with the West and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

These developments come amid rising security concerns surrounding the Russian president, as previous reports indicated that he removed his private villa in Sochi last year out of fear of it being targeted by similar attacks.

These stringent measures reflect the Kremlin's increasing worry about Ukraine's offensive capabilities, especially after Kyiv's success in using drones deep within Russian territory.

It is worth noting that the Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, who exposed the palace, died last year while being held in a Siberian prison, sparking a new wave of anger and protests both inside and outside Russia.

Currently, the fires remain under control, but the incident has once again highlighted the symbolism of "Putin's Palace," not only as a symbol of wealth and power but also as one of the most fortified and controversial sites in contemporary Russia.