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

Kondratyev initially reported three injuries but later updated 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 were damaged, authorities said. “All services have been placed on high alert, and the attack is still being repelled,” Kondratyev added.

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

The attack also damaged the office of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, jointly owned by Russian, Kazakh, and international energy firms like Chevron and ExxonMobil. A company representative confirmed two injuries at the site. Local media reported three people trapped in a building’s basement housing an electric scooter rental, with emergency services en route to rescue them.

Novorossiysk, a key hub for the Russian Black Sea Fleet, has seen increased targeting of its facilities as Ukrainian drones intensify strikes on Sevastopol, another major naval base. Kiev has repeatedly launched drone raids into Russia, often hitting residential areas and infrastructure. Moscow has labeled these actions “terrorism.”