'Had no time to flee': Drone strikes Russian Black Sea beach, kills 7 including 3 children, injures 40

A drone struck a crowded beach at Arkhipo-Osipovka near Gelendzhik, Russia, killing 7 people including 3 children and injuring 40.

Krasnodar Krai governor Veniamin Kondratyev blamed Ukraine for the attack; Ukraine has not commented.

Witnesses reported hearing machine-gun fire before the explosion, suggesting possible Russian air-defense attempts to intercept the drone.

The beach is near an alleged luxury complex known as 'Putin's Palace', linked to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation.

Russia's Foreign Ministry accused Western countries of sponsoring 'terrorist activity' following the strike.