Drone strikes ignite fires in Mariupol shopping center and Sochi oil depot

Russian Telegram channels "Astra" and "Egilenova Plus" reported that Ukrainian drone strikes overnight sparked large fires at two separate facilities: the Galaktika shopping complex in Mariupol, a city under Russian occupation, and an oil storage site in Sochi on Russia's Black Sea coast.

In Mariupol the shopping complex known as "Galaktika" — previously branded as the "Epicenter" do‑it‑yourself supermarket — was destroyed by the blaze, the reports said. An air‑raid warning was issued in the city. According to the accounts, this is the fourth store from that chain to be struck since August in the occupied territories, after locations in Donetsk, Makiivka and Yenakiieve.

Sochi fire reignites

In Sochi, the oil facility that had already been targeted on September 4 reportedly caught fire again. Local outlets showed heavy smoke over the area and said residents sought shelter as the plume spread.

Russian authorities had not issued any prior warnings and did not confirm the reported strikes, the Telegram channels added.

There has been no independent confirmation of the incidents and details remain limited as authorities have not released official statements. The accounts currently rest on the two Telegram channels' posts.

Photo: press material from the event