Moscow: Russia on Thursday accused Ukraine of carrying out a deadly drone strike on a hotel and café in a Russian-controlled part of Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, claiming that at least 24 civilians, including a child, were killed while celebrating the New Year. Russian authorities described the incident as a deliberate attack on civilians and termed it a “terrorist act”, allegations that Ukraine has not immediately responded to.
According to Russian officials, the strike took place late on New Year’s Eve when people had gathered at the location to welcome 2026. The accusations have further escalated tensions between Moscow and Kyiv amid the ongoing conflict, which has seen both sides repeatedly accuse each other of targeting civilian infrastructure.
Allegations by Russian-installed authorities
The first official claim about the incident was made by Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-installed governor of the Kherson region. In a statement issued through his press service, Saldo alleged that three Ukrainian drones struck a hotel and café in the coastal village of Khorly, where civilians were gathered for New Year celebrations.
Saldo claimed the drones caused a massive fire at the site and said that several people were “burnt alive” in what he described as a deliberate strike aimed at civilians. He asserted that the attack was carefully planned and timed to coincide with New Year festivities, when people were expected to gather in larger numbers.
Casualties and injuries reported
Russia’s Foreign Ministry later issued a statement backing Saldo’s claims and provided casualty figures. According to the ministry, preliminary information indicated that 24 people had been killed in the attack, including one child. It also stated that around 50 people were injured, among them six minors who were undergoing treatment in hospitals.
Calling the incident a “war crime”, the ministry alleged that Ukrainian forces intentionally targeted areas where civilians were celebrating. “There is no doubt that the attack was planned in advance, with drones deliberately targeting areas where civilians had gathered to celebrate New Year’s Eve,” the statement said.
Images and verification challenges
Photographs released by Saldo’s press service purported to show the aftermath of the strike. Reuters, however, said it was unable to independently verify the images or the allegations made by Russian officials.
The images reportedly showed extensive fire damage to the building, with visible signs that a fierce blaze had swept through the structure. At least one body covered with a white sheet could be seen in the photographs, along with what appeared to be blood stains on the ground. Independent confirmation of the cause of the damage or the number of casualties was not immediately possible.
Ukraine yet to respond
Ukraine’s military, which has frequently accused Russia of killing civilians through missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities, did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment on the allegations. Kyiv has consistently denied targeting civilians and has accused Moscow of using such claims as propaganda.
In previous instances, Ukrainian officials have argued that Russian-controlled areas often house military personnel or equipment alongside civilian infrastructure, a claim Russia has rejected.
Strong political reactions in Russia
The incident drew sharp reactions from senior Russian politicians. The speakers of both houses of Russia’s parliament condemned Kyiv, echoing the Foreign Ministry’s description of the strike as an act of terrorism.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in a statement on Telegram that Western countries backing Ukraine were ultimately responsible. She alleged that military and political support from the West enabled such attacks and accused Ukraine’s allies of ignoring civilian suffering in Russian-controlled territories.
Kherson’s disputed status
Kherson is one of four regions in Ukraine that Russia claimed as its own in 2022 following controversial referendums. Kyiv and most Western nations have denounced the move as an illegal annexation and continue to recognise the region as part of Ukraine.
The area has seen intense fighting since the start of the war, with control shifting in different districts and frequent strikes reported by both sides. Civilian casualties have been reported regularly, though figures and responsibility are often disputed.
Conclusion
The latest accusations underline the deepening bitterness and information war surrounding the conflict in Ukraine. While Russia has described the alleged drone strike as a premeditated attack on civilians celebrating the New Year, independent verification remains unavailable, and Ukraine has yet to issue a response. As the war continues, such incidents are likely to fuel further diplomatic and political confrontations, even as civilians on both sides bear the brunt of the conflict.