Beaches and shopping centers in Sochi and Adler are cleared due to evacuation orders
Breaking News: Sochi Airport Closed After Drone Attack in Russia
On August 8, 2022, the city of Sochi was hit by a drone attack that targeted critical infrastructure, causing a significant disruption to air travel in the region.
Gunfire from air defense systems could be heard in several locations, including Anapa, Slaviansk-na-Kubani, and Adler. The Ukrainian Armed Forces were reported to have sent "Lut" drones to the Kuban, resulting in all beaches in Sochi being closed [1].
The attack on Sochi caused a fire at an oil depot near the international airport, prompting the Russian aviation authority (Rosaviatsiya) to close the airspace temporarily for safety reasons. As a result, 17 flights were diverted to neighboring airports, and many planes, including those from Dubai, Novosibirsk, Moscow, and Samara, were forced to circle around Sochi waiting for permission to land [2][3].
The fire, along with security concerns, led to the suspension of flights briefly and the imposition of airspace restrictions twice on August 8. These disruptions caused delays, diversions, and cancellations of flights not only at Sochi but also at several other airports in Russia [1].
Sochi Mayor Andrey Proshurin did not provide details about the aftermath of the drone strike, but stated that the city's air defense system is working and emergency services are on high alert. He also advised people living near the coastline to stay in a soundproof room without windows [1].
In addition, the "Psou" checkpoint on the Russian-Abkhaz border was closed due to the drone strike, and people were being informed about the need to go to shelters. Hotel and sanatorium staff were accompanying vacationers to shelters to ensure their safety [1].
In Adler, visitors and staff of the Mandarin shopping mall were evacuated due to the threat of a drone attack. The operational headquarters of the Krasnodar Territory announced the evacuation of vacationers from city beaches in Sochi at 14:20 on August 8 [1].
The strategic impact of the drone strikes was increased as they targeted oil depots that support Russia’s military efforts. This compelling Russian authorities to halt operations at airports near the affected areas [1][2].
The airport in Gelendzhik, which had previously been closed and resumed work last month after a three-year break, is expected to accommodate some of the diverted flights.
This is a developing story and more updates will follow as information becomes available.
Sources:
[1] The Guardian [2] BBC News [3] CNN
The ongoing drone attacks, including the one in Sochi, are part of a series of war-and-conflicts-related events that have been escalating in Russia, concerning both domestic and general-news readers. The political implications of these attacks, such as the closure of airports and the diversion of flights, have far-reaching consequences in the realm of crime-and-justice, affecting travel and safety throughout the region.
