Two children killed by drone debris in Krasnodar, Russia says
Russian regional authorities said early Monday that debris from a Ukrainian drone attack fell on a childcare facility in the southern city of Krasnodar, killing two children and wounding nine other people.
Krasnodar region governor Veniamin Kondratyev said in a Telegram message that the debris struck a private children's centre. "Sadly, two children were killed," he wrote. He added that seven children and two adults were injured.
The reported attack came as Ukraine prepared to mark the 35th anniversary of its independence and to host a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, a group of European allies supporting Kyiv.
Mr. Kondratyev also reported that a fire broke out at a warehouse after a drone fell on it. Russian e-commerce giant Ozon confirmed that a "major fire" was burning at one of its logistics centres in Krasnodar, but said there were no casualties.
Ozon has faced a series of attacks in recent days. Ukraine's military on Saturday said it was launching a new campaign targeting the company, following similar strikes against Wildberries, another major Russian online retailer. Ukrainian officials have previously said such attacks aim to disrupt Russia's economy and logistics.
The latest incidents highlight the expanding nature of the conflict, with Ukraine using long-range drones to strike targets deep inside Russia. Moscow has repeatedly condemned these attacks, insisting that they endanger civilians and amount to acts of terrorism.
At the same time, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its fifth year, has killed thousands of Ukrainian civilians and flattened entire cities in the country's east and south. International organisations have documented widespread civilian casualties and human rights abuses in areas occupied or attacked by Russian forces.
Ukraine has not yet commented on the Krasnodar incident. Its military typically does not confirm or deny specific strikes, but it has consistently stated that its targets are limited to infrastructure that supports Russia's war effort. Kyiv maintains that destroying warehouses, fuel depots, and transport links weakens the Russian military's ability to continue its offensive.
Independent verification of the reported deaths is difficult because the Krasnodar region is under Russian control and authorities restrict access. The Russian government has not released any visual evidence or the names of the victims.
The incident occurred amid heightened diplomatic activity. Leaders from several European nations are expected to gather in Kyiv for the Coalition of the Willing meeting, which is intended to reinforce support for Ukraine. The timing may be seen as a reminder of the war's continuing toll on civilians on all sides.
The conflict shows no signs of de-escalation, with both sides trading long-range strikes. The international community has repeatedly called for restraint and for the protection of civilians, but diplomatic efforts to end the war have so far yielded little progress.
