Kuban: Schools Advised to Stay Home Due to Drone Threat
- Authorities in the Krasnodar Krai region of Russia, including the cities of Sochi and Anapa, are adjusting school operations in response to an increasing threat of drone attacks.
- The changes follow a reported increase in drone activity targeting the region.
- Anapa has taken the most significant step, introducing a “free-attendance” regime starting March 13, 2026.
Drone Threats Prompt School Safety Measures in Southern Russia
Authorities in the Krasnodar Krai region of Russia, including the cities of Sochi and Anapa, are adjusting school operations in response to an increasing threat of drone attacks. While schools remain open, officials are implementing measures ranging from heightened security protocols to offering parents the option of keeping children home, effectively shifting responsibility for their safety outside of school hours.
The changes follow a reported increase in drone activity targeting the region. On , drone debris impacted multi-story buildings in both Anapa and Sochi, as well as in Krasnodar, though authorities reported no casualties. The attack on Sochi was described as “unprecedented in its duration,” according to reports. On , classes were canceled in Anapa due to the ongoing threat. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have intercepted 30 drones over the Krasnodar Territory on the same night.
Anapa has taken the most significant step, introducing a “free-attendance” regime starting . Mayor Svetlana Maslova announced that while educational institutions will remain open and operate as usual, parents now have the discretion to decide whether to send their children to school. Parents who choose to keep their children home are expected to notify teachers and will be provided with independent study materials. Maslova emphasized that parents bear the responsibility for ensuring the safety of children who are not attending school, stating, “Children staying at home, especially alone, isn’t always safer than being in school.”
Maslova further highlighted the preparedness of Anapa’s schools, noting that staff have received training on emergency procedures, buildings have designated safe areas, and maximum safety measures are in place. Similar, though less detailed, measures are being implemented in Sochi. The administration there has taken “special measures to ensure children’s safety,” though specifics were not immediately available.
This situation reflects a broader pattern of increased drone attacks within Russia, particularly targeting regions bordering Ukraine and major cities like Moscow. On , reports indicated that 105 Ukrainian drones were heading towards the Russian capital, though most were reportedly shot down. The Krasnodar Krai, a popular tourist destination on the Black Sea, has become a focal point of these attacks in recent months. A previous incident in November 2025 saw two kindergartens in the Tuapse district temporarily closed due to damage from a UAV attack.
The implementation of free attendance policies represents a delicate balance for Russian authorities. While acknowledging the threat, they are attempting to maintain a semblance of normalcy and avoid widespread disruption to education. However, the shift in responsibility to parents underscores the perceived risk and the limitations of current security measures. Residents of the region were also alerted to a drone threat on , with instructions to take cover and avoid approaching any debris.
Looking ahead, residents of the Krasnodar Krai should expect continued alerts and potential disruptions as the threat of drone attacks persists. The effectiveness of the implemented safety measures, and the willingness of parents to send their children to school, will likely depend on the frequency and intensity of future attacks. The situation also raises questions about the long-term impact on the region’s tourism industry, a vital component of its economy.