Russian popular vacation spot attacked, resulting in over 60 casualties; Russia condemns Kyiv for deliberately targeting civilians, Ukraine denies.

[Global Times correspondent in Russia, Xiao Xinxin, Global Times special correspondent, Wang Yan] According to TASS, the popular seaside resort town of Arkhipo-Osipovka near Gelendzhik in Russia's Krasnodar Krai was attacked by Ukrainian drones on the 3rd. According to a report from the Krasnodar Krai operational command on the 4th, as of around 9 a.m. that day, the attack had resulted in at least 7 deaths and 58 injuries. Krasnodar Krai Governor Kondratiev stated on the 3rd that this attack was a "deliberate assault" by the Kyiv regime against civilians. The head of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council's Center for Countering Disinformation, Kovalenko, stated on social media on the 4th that the casualties among Russian personnel were entirely due to the Russian air defense forces shooting down a drone over a beach crowded with vacationers.

Russian "Newspaper Network" reported on the 4th that the drone exploded on the beach around 11 a.m. local time on the 3rd, while many families were enjoying their time by the sea. Kondratiev had previously stated on social media on the morning of the 3rd that the deaths were caused by "drone debris falling." According to reports from TASS and others, Kondratiev stated on the 3rd that the incident was a deliberate attack by the Kyiv regime against civilians with no connection to military facilities. Such a cold-blooded, inhumane terrorist attack targeting children is absolutely unforgivable.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova commented on the incident on the 3rd, stating that the EU and NATO have become "part of international terrorist activities," and that "a terrorist armed group is entrenched in Europe, controlling the Ukrainian state apparatus, while NATO countries are the sponsors of terrorism." Member of the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) Defense Committee Kolesnikov stated on the 3rd that the Ukrainian military's attacks on Russian civilians are "barbaric and cruel," and this is a "war crime" that must be properly assessed.

Kovalenko stated on the 4th that Ukraine only attacks the Russian military-industrial complex and economic infrastructure with weapons. This incident was entirely due to the Russian air defense forces shooting down a drone over a beach crowded with vacationers. This is a "dereliction of duty" by the Russian authorities, who often conceal air raid alerts or fail to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the Russian people during alerts.

CNN reported on the 4th that it is still unclear whether the casualties from the incident were caused by the Russian air defense system shooting down the drone or if the drone directly caused the attack. CNN stated that video from the scene shows that just seconds before the incident, the sounds of at least three types of automatic gunfire could be heard. As the gunfire erupted, the drone suddenly turned and dove towards the beach. Before crashing, the drone appeared to have passed over a Russian radar facility located to the west of where it fell on the beach. The BBC reported on the 4th that it is still unclear what the intended target of the drone was, and the Ukrainian side denies targeting civilians. Some local tourists and residents stated that no air defense alerts sounded before the drone attack. Some Ukrainian social media platforms claimed that the drone lost control due to electronic warfare signal interference and ultimately crashed on the beach. Russian media cited multiple eyewitnesses who said that gunfire was heard before the explosion, indicating that the air defense system may have attempted to shoot down the drone at that time.

Media such as CNN reported that Krasnodar Krai is frequently targeted by Ukrainian military attacks, and the Ukrainian military has previously struck Russian naval and oil facilities in the area. The naval base in Novorossiysk, located in the region, is a major hub for the Russian Black Sea Fleet, approximately 25 miles from the site of the incident in Gelendzhik. Reports indicate that over the past month, Ukraine has intensified its attacks on Russia, targeting energy infrastructure, weapons manufacturing plants, military equipment bases, and shipping facilities. Russia has also continued to launch missile and drone attacks on Ukraine.

Currently, mutual attacks between Russia and Ukraine are ongoing. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported on the 4th that the Russian military struck Ukrainian ports, maritime vessels, and related infrastructure in Odesa Oblast on the night of the 3rd. The report also stated that from the night of the 3rd to the morning of the 4th, Russian air defense forces intercepted 320 Ukrainian drones in 18 regions, including Moscow Oblast. The Ukrainian Air Force reported on the 4th that from the night of the 3rd to the morning of the 4th, the Russian military launched 1 missile and 136 drones into Ukrainian territory, with Ukrainian air defense forces intercepting 117 of those drones. According to a report from dpa on the 3rd, Ukrainian President Zelensky stated at a joint meeting of Ukrainian ambassadors abroad on the 3rd that he hopes to exert enough pressure on Russia before autumn to force it to agree to end the war.