Russia's Black Sea Resort refers primarily to a large, multifaceted resort complex owned by the Moscow city government, located on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. This complex, known as the Kamchia Sports and Recreation Complex (SOK Kamchia), was developed starting with a contract signed in 2008 and includes extensive facilities such as the 450-room Longoz Hotel, multiple swimming pools, conference halls, health camps, a medical center, an Olympic-standard sports complex, and an amphitheater seating 2,000. It also incorporates a holiday village and educational centers. The resort serves as a major recreational and training hub, combining hospitality, health, sports, and education in one location[1]. The ownership structure is notable because, due to Bulgarian laws forbidding foreign land ownership at the time, the Moscow municipal government acquired the property via a Bulgarian-registered company, effectively circumventing restrictions. This transaction, which involved the Bulgarian government and municipal authorities, has been controversial, criticized for under-market pricing and opaque conditions, marking it as one of Bulgaria's major postcommunist scandals[1]. While this resort is a key example of Russian state involvement in Black Sea leisure and strategic presence, it contrasts with broader geopolitical and security dynamics in the Black Sea region. Russia’s Black Sea strategy includes asserting control over northern Black Sea waters, maintaining a naval presence, and engaging in complex regional power balances with Turkey and NATO. The region is vital for Russia’s geopolitical ambitions, military strategy, and economic interests, including tourism and infrastructure development[3][6][8]. Overall, Russia's Black Sea Resort complex represents a significant business and state project blending tourism, sports, health, and education, reflecting Moscow’s broader strategic footprint on the Black Sea coast outside its borders. Its history and current status illustrate the intersection of business, politics, and regional geopolitics in this critical area[1][3].