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Fire near alleged “Putin’s palace” sparked by Ukrainian drone
Russian firefighters were still battling a large blaze on Saturday in the Krasnodar region, southern Russia, after debris from a Ukrainian drone ignited a forest fire earlier this week near a luxury residence often referred to as “Putin’s palace.”
Local authorities reported that the drone crash caused the fire close to the city of Gelendzhik, a Black Sea resort town. The lavish compound, widely known by critics as the “palace of Putin,” has long been the subject of controversy, though the Russian president has consistently denied any ownership.
According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, more than 400 firefighters remained mobilized, supported by helicopters releasing water over the affected zone. Videos released by the ministry showed flames consuming trees and ash covering the ground.
So far, there is no evidence that the blaze directly threatens the disputed property, which Russian authorities have not mentioned in their official statements.
The site gained notoriety in 2021 when opposition leader Alexei Navalny, later deceased under unclear circumstances in prison, published an investigation alleging that the estate—equipped with vineyards, a hockey rink, and even a casino—was financed through corruption for the benefit of President Putin.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kyiv has increasingly deployed drones against targets inside Russian territory. These attacks, according to investigative media such as Proekt, have altered Putin’s personal routines, reportedly discouraging him from visiting Sochi, another Black Sea city now within drone range.