Putin makes record-long pause from trips to his favorite resort
Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Impact of attacks on the holiday season
Air raid sirens, explosions, fires, oil slicks in the water and long lines at gas stations have become part of the holiday experience for Russians.
In addition to the threat of attacks, the coast is facing environmental problems caused by damage to oil infrastructure.
In particular, ticket bookings at Sochi Airport have fallen by 40%, while some hotels have reported a drop in the number of guests of up to 20%.
Due to the security situation, Russian leader Vladimir Putin has also stopped visiting his favorite resort. While he visited Sochi 24 times in 2021, he appeared there only twice in 2024-2025.
"When I go out to the seafront in the evening, I feel this strange dissonance — music, dancing... But people are so tired of living through this fucking nightmare that they just don’t care any more. They simply want a change of scenery," said the owner of a guesthouse in Kabardinka.
Why Russians continue to travel there
Despite the risks, most beaches and cafes remain crowded.
The main reason is the lack of alternatives for most Russian citizens:
- More than 65% of Russians have never been abroad, while 30% have never traveled outside their home region;
- Due to sanctions, canceled flights and problems with bank cards, more than 80% of trips are made within Russia;
- Employees of military-industrial complex companies are prohibited from leaving the country.
Air raid sirens "were barely ever on," but now they sound several times a day, said the captain of a tourist boat from Arkhipo-Osipovka, adding that most beachgoers largely ignore the warnings.
Putin's statements on peace and the impact of Ukrainian strikes
Earlier, First Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Sergiy Kyslytsya said that Vladimir Putin is not interested in peace talks.
According to the official, the Russian leader expects that Ukrainians will be unable to survive the upcoming winter amid relentless terror.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin is trying to downplay the scale of the damage caused by strikes on Russian facilities.
Putin hasn't noticed the critical consequences of attacks on Russian infrastructure and industry, although the strikes are having a tangible negative impact on Russia's economy.
