Missile and drone strikes linked to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine caused major damage in cities near the Black Sea this weekend. The attacks hit civilian areas, sparked a large oil depot fire, and left several people injured on both sides.
In Ukraine’s southern city of Mykolaiv, a missile strike destroyed homes and damaged key services. The city, located near the Black Sea, has faced repeated shelling since the war began. Local officials confirmed that at least three civilians were injured in the latest attack. Photos shared by Ukraine’s emergency crews showed firefighters working among the ruins after the strike.
Authorities in Ukraine said the missile targeted civilian infrastructure. The blast tore through homes and caused fires in nearby buildings. Emergency teams responded quickly to contain the flames and rescue residents trapped under rubble. Medical teams treated the injured at the scene and transferred others to local hospitals.
Meanwhile, early Sunday morning, a major oil depot fire broke out near the Russian resort city of Sochi. Russian officials blamed the fire on a Ukrainian drone strike. The attack took place in the Adler district, where Sochi’s airport is also located. As a safety measure, all flights from the airport were suspended.
The governor of the Krasnodar Region, Veniamin Kondratyev, stated that parts of a drone hit a large fuel tank. This caused the fire to spread rapidly through the depot. Over 120 firefighters were deployed to fight the blaze. Videos posted online showed thick smoke rising into the sky and flames engulfing the area.
This drone strike was not the only one launched over the weekend. Ukrainian forces also targeted locations in several Russian cities including Ryazan, Penza, and Voronezh. Officials in Voronezh reported that one of the drone strikes injured four people and damaged property. Emergency services responded to all attack sites, and investigations are ongoing.
These strikes come just days after a deadly attack on Ukraine’s capital city, Kyiv. That attack killed at least 31 people and caused widespread destruction. Ukrainian officials said Russia launched over 300 drones and eight cruise missiles during the assault. The scale of the attack made it one of the deadliest incidents in Kyiv since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
In response to these attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for stronger global sanctions against Russia. He urged world leaders to take firmer action to stop the attacks on civilian areas and critical infrastructure.
Zelensky said the recent strike on Kyiv was another example of why more help is needed. He asked allies to increase pressure on Moscow and provide better defenses to protect Ukrainian cities. Ukraine has continued to request more air defense systems to guard against future missile and drone attacks.
Since the start of the war, cities near the Black Sea have remained key targets. Mykolaiv, Odesa, and other southern cities have been shelled repeatedly. These locations are important for trade and military logistics. As a result, they face constant threats from air attacks.
Russian cities near the Black Sea are also being hit by Ukrainian drones. These drone attacks aim to strike fuel depots, airports, and military sites. Ukraine has increased its drone operations in recent months, often focusing on Russian infrastructure that supports the war.
Both sides continue to blame each other for the rising civilian toll. While Ukraine targets military-linked sites, Russia has faced criticism for its strikes on homes and hospitals. Human rights groups have urged both nations to avoid attacks that put civilians at risk.
The weekend’s events show that the conflict remains intense along the Black Sea. With homes destroyed, fires raging, and people injured, the need for a peaceful resolution continues to grow. Until then, civilians on both sides will face danger from the ongoing Black Sea attacks.
