Anapa, Russia. Russians holidaying on the Black Sea coast are facing gasoline shortages and the risk of drone attacks during the fifth summer of the war in Ukraine, affecting travel plans and leisure businesses.
Tourism impact
Industry data showed that one million bookings to Russian-annexed Crimea had been cancelled by the end of June.
Anton Sidorov, owner of the “Adrian” bistro in Anapa, said he remained closed in May and June because of a lack of customers and had abandoned plans to open during the season.
Security concerns
Tourists in Anapa, known for its seafront promenade and long sandy beaches, told Reuters that security had become part of their holiday planning.
Elmira, a visitor from Moscow, said she and her husband had checked online to ensure that nothing “alarming” was happening at the resort before travelling there.
“We decided to take the chance – we came here and we have no regrets,” she said. She added that the couple were prepared for an air raid alert and were monitoring where to go and what to do if an incident occurred.
Warnings and attacks
During a five-day Reuters visit to Russia’s Black Sea coast earlier in July, reporters received missile threat warnings on their mobile phones daily and heard air raid sirens twice. Most beachgoers showed little reaction, as such alerts have become common in many Russian cities.
Ukraine, whose cities have faced repeated attacks since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, has said it is “bringing the war back home to Russia” through intensified drone strikes inside the country. Frequent attacks on Russian oil refineries have contributed to fuel shortages.