What was supposed to be a high-energy night of music in Sochi turned unexpectedly tense when fans gathered to see US rap star Akon were suddenly evacuated from the venue.
The problem? A drone threat hovering over the city—and not just metaphorically.
Concert Plans Derailed by Unexpected Security Alert
The show was set to take place at the Iceberg Ice Palace in Sirius, Sochi, but just before things could kick off, officials pulled the plug—temporarily.
Thousands of concertgoers were asked to exit the arena before Akon even had the chance to perform crowd favorites like “Smack That.”
Organizers told the audience to follow emergency instructions and to rely solely on verified information from authorities, as security teams worked to assess the situation.
A Nerve-Wracking Day Behind the Scenes
Before the concert chaos even began, Akon had already endured a rough start to the day.
Earlier that morning, as a drone strike was reportedly detected in the Sochi area, his security team rushed him into a hotel bathroom—which they deemed the safest spot at the time.
While no injuries were reported, the incident left both the artist and his team on edge as tensions around drone threats in Russia continue to rise.
Officials Say the Threat Has Passed—But Caution Remains
Sochi’s mayor, Andrey Proshunin, tried to reassure locals and tourists, stating there was no immediate danger to people in the area.
Not long after, air raid alerts were lifted, and fans were allowed back into the venue so Akon could finally take the stage.
In a post on his Telegram channel, Mayor Proshunin confirmed that the suspected drone attack had been neutralized.
Still, he urged residents to stay cautious—especially around any drone debris that might have landed nearby.
“Don’t go near it and definitely don’t take selfies with it,” was the general tone of the message.
Travel Disruptions Still Ongoing at Sochi Airport
While the concert eventually resumed, the evening wasn’t entirely back to normal.
As of 9:03pm Moscow time, flight restrictions remained in effect at Sochi Airport, with temporary suspensions still impacting arrivals and departures due to the earlier drone scare.
What’s Next?
It’s not yet clear whether this incident will lead to changes in upcoming events or travel plans in Sochi.
For now, authorities are likely to tighten security around public gatherings, especially high-profile ones like concerts.
As for Akon, he powered through the drama and delivered for his fans, but there’s no doubt this was a performance night no one will forget.
