War reaches Putin’s Black Sea resort area, civilian casualties reported

War has reached the Black Sea resort area favored by Russian President Vladimir Putin, with reports of attacks causing civilian casualties and injuries. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, now in its fifth year, has expanded into regions previously considered safe, such as Gelendzhik and Arkhipo-Osipovka, close to Crimea. This escalation is notable for involving attacks near infrastructure linked to Putin’s retreat, although it remains uncertain if these were direct targets. The use of drones in this region is seen as a significant increase in the depth of strikes, suggesting both sides are capable of hitting critical military and symbolic sites along the Black Sea coast. Key Takeaways The conflict’s extension to new areas appears consistent with support for increased Russian military actions, as indicated by the rise in probabilities for Russia entering Sloviansk by year-end. Recent developments suggest a potential decrease in Ukraine’s capacity to recapture Crimea, as attacks near significant Russian sites could strain Ukrainian resources. Escalation in the Black Sea region may indicate an increased likelihood of Russia capturing all of Donetsk Oblast, with market pricing sh...