Did A Drone Really Get This Close To Putin's Palace? - Silicon Curtain

Edition No240 | 03-09-2025 - Flames, Palaces & Flamingos: Ukraine Challenges Putin’s Aura of Invincibility.
A future film of the war, depicting Ukraine’s victory over its imperial neighbour, will savour this moment, as it builds the tension and rolls out in glorious orange flame ripping through forests near Putin’s secret palace complex, his minions panicking as the flames encroach on the $1.5 billion Black Sea palace, and then consume it. We’ll have to wait for the full feature, but we were treated to the trailer last week, a teaser for the full blockbuster attraction.

Picture this: debris from a Ukrainian drone — falling like an uninvited and unwelcome weekend guest at a dacha — ignites a forest inferno just six miles from Putin’s alleged $1.5 billion bolt hole, his Black Sea palace. Was it a deliberate power move by Ukraine, were they aiming for the palace itself, or is this just collateral damage? Likely the former.

According to Russian emergency services, the blaze was triggered when debris from a downed Ukrainian drone fell near the opulent estate—sparked by air defence intercepts. And we know from reports that Putin has concentrated a huge number of air defence systems near the places he holds dear or visits frequently. Of course, defending civilian objects is a far lower priority. It reportedly occurred six miles from the palace, though investigative outlet IStories claims it might have been as close as two miles. (Meduza)