Russian officials have accused Ukrainian forces of a deadly drone attack that killed two dozen people in an occupied region of southern Ukraine, sharply escalating tensions even as international diplomats reported progress in peace negotiations.
Deadly Strike on New Year Celebrations
According to Moscow-installed authorities, three drones struck a cafe and hotel in the coastal resort town of Khorly, in the Kherson region, on Thursday. The attack reportedly targeted a crowd celebrating the New Year. Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed leader of the region, stated on Telegram that the assault resulted in 24 fatalities and at least 50 injuries.
Saldo claimed one of the drones carried an incendiary payload, which sparked a significant fire. The Associated Press noted it could not independently verify the details of the attack, and Ukrainian officials did not immediately comment on the Russian claims.
Diplomatic Moves and Accusations
The alleged strike comes against a backdrop of heightened diplomatic activity and mutual accusations. Moscow recently asserted that Ukraine launched a long-range drone attack targeting one of President Vladimir Putin's official residences earlier in the week, a claim Kyiv has dismissed as a "lie".
In response to the Kherson incident, senior Russian figures issued strong condemnations. Valentina Matviyenko, head of the Federation Council, said the attack "strengthened" Russia's determination to achieve its military objectives in the conflict, which is nearing its fourth year.
Meanwhile, peace efforts are advancing on the diplomatic front. In his New Year's address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated a potential peace deal was "90% ready", but cautioned that the final 10%—likely involving critical territorial disputes—would be decisive for Ukraine's future.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff reported a "productive call" with security advisers from Britain, France, Germany, and Ukraine to discuss advancing the European peace process. Lead Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov confirmed plans for a meeting with European officials this Saturday.
Ongoing Violence Across the Front
The war's violence continued elsewhere overnight. Ukrainian authorities reported that Russian forces attacked the Odesa region with multiple waves of drones, targeting civilian infrastructure.
Regional head Oleh Kiper said a residential building was damaged and a drone lodged itself in a high-rise apartment without exploding. Fortunately, no casualties were reported from these attacks.
Ukraine's air force stated its defences intercepted a significant number of the incoming drones, but confirmed that 24 strike drones hit 15 different locations, with attacks continuing into the day.
