Ukrainian drones strike near Putin's claimed palace in Krasnodar

Many reports provided by Russian media or officials are elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information war conducted by the Russian Federation.

"Last night, the Kyiv regime attempted to attack civilian targets in the territory of Gelendzhik with drones. (...) In the village of Krynytsia, wreckage from one of the drones damaged an unfinished building. In the village of Dzhanhot, a drone hit trees, and the fire was extinguished. According to preliminary information, there were no casualties," wrote Krasnodar region governor Veniamin Kondratyev.

Governor Kondratyev also stated that Russian air defense forces destroyed all the drones in this attack.

Near the village of Dzhanhot, on Cape Idokopas, there is an estate and palace that, according to media reports, was built for Russian President Vladimir Putin. It is not clear if this site was the target of the attack, but the attack took place very close to the palace.

In the village of Krynytsia, where one of the attacks occurred, the "Old Provence" winery was under construction. This place was supposed to process grapes grown on the estate.

The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed Governor Kondratyev's information, adding that four drones were destroyed overnight in the Krasnodar region.

In 2021, Vladimir Putin stated that the palace did not belong to him and that he had never been there.

There is no direct evidence that Putin lived in or visited this building, but documents clearly show that the president's closest circle is connected.

The estate near Gelendzhik gained prominence after Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation released a film on its YouTube channel presenting the complex as Vladimir Putin's residence. The creators of the film claim that the estate was built with money siphoned from state-owned companies and funds obtained from companies owned by the Russian president's friends.