Russia Claims New Year Drone Strike Killed 24 Civilians in Ukraine’s Kherson Region
GeokHub
Contributing Writer
Moscow, Jan 1 (GeokHub) Russian authorities have accused Ukraine of carrying out a drone strike that killed at least 24 people, including a child, during New Year celebrations in a Russian-controlled part of southern Ukraine’s Kherson region.
Officials said the alleged attack struck a hotel and café in the coastal village of Khorly, where civilians had gathered to mark the arrival of the new year. Ukraine’s military did not immediately comment on the accusation.
The claim was first made by Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-installed head of the region, who described the incident as a deliberate strike on civilians. Russia’s foreign ministry and senior officials later echoed the allegation, characterising the incident as an act of terrorism.
Images released by local authorities showed a heavily damaged building with signs of intense fire damage. At least one covered body was visible, along with what appeared to be blood stains on the ground. The images could not be independently verified.
According to Russian officials, three drones hit the site, setting the building ablaze. The foreign ministry said preliminary information indicated 24 people were killed and around 50 injured, including six children who were receiving hospital treatment.
Moscow said the attack was planned in advance and accused Kyiv of targeting a civilian gathering. Russian officials labelled the strike a war crime and vowed retaliation.
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said those responsible — including commanders — would be targeted on the battlefield. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Western countries backing Ukraine shared responsibility.
Kherson is one of four Ukrainian regions claimed by Russia in 2022, a move rejected by Kyiv and widely condemned by Western governments as illegal. Both sides have repeatedly accused each other of carrying out attacks that kill civilians since the war began.
