Putin's Favorite Black Sea Resort Faces Decline Amid Ongoing War Attacks

The Black Sea resort of Sochi, a former favorite of Vladimir Putin who visited the area dozens of times in 2021, is now confronting a tourism slump as the war reaches the coastline. Hotel industry figures indicate a near 11% drop in occupancy compared with the previous year. Ukrainian drone strikes have focused on key oil processing sites such as the Tuapse refinery and the nearby port of Novorossiysk, prompting continuous air-raid alerts and causing civilian injuries in places like Arkhipo-Osipovka.

While Putin has not been seen publicly in Sochi since October and appears to be staying elsewhere, a small number of visitors remain, driven by a desire for a change of scenery despite the ongoing danger. The sustained attacks have also strained Russia's fuel supply, leading to longer queues at Moscow gas stations and renewed purchase limits on gasoline.