Russian officials have reported a deadly drone strike on New Year's Eve in a Black Sea resort town under Moscow's control, claiming the attack killed two dozen people.
Details of the Khorly Attack
According to Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-installed leader of the Kherson region, three drones hit a cafe and hotel in the town of Khorly as revellers celebrated the arrival of the new year. In a statement on Telegram, Saldo alleged that one of the drones carried an incendiary mixture, which sparked a significant fire.
The strike resulted in 24 fatalities and left at least 50 others wounded, according to the Russian account. Ukrainian officials have not provided an immediate comment on the incident, and the report could not be independently verified by international news agencies at the time.
Russian Condemnation and Wider Context
The attack prompted strong condemnation from Russian officials. Valentina Matviyenko, chair of Russia's Federation Council, stated that the strike served to strengthen Russia's determination to achieve its goals in the conflict, which is nearing its fourth year.
This incident follows claims from Moscow earlier in the week that Ukraine launched a long-range drone attack targeting one of President Vladimir Putin's official residences. Kyiv has dismissed those allegations as a "lie," suggesting they are a ploy to disrupt peace negotiations.
Russia's Defence Ministry said it accessed navigation data from a downed drone to confirm Putin's residence was the intended target, a claim it said it would share with US officials. However, the Wall Street Journal reported that US intelligence assessed no such attack took place.
Peace Talks Amidst Escalation
Despite the spike in hostile rhetoric and reported attacks, diplomatic efforts continue. In his New Year's address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated a potential peace deal was "90% ready," though he warned the final details would be critical.
On Wednesday, Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, described a "productive call" with European and Ukrainian security advisers focused on advancing the peace process. Lead Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov reaffirmed plans for a meeting with European officials, while Zelenskyy is scheduled for talks with European leaders next week.
The attack in Khorly underscores the severe and ongoing human cost of the war, even as diplomatic channels remain active. The conflicting narratives from Moscow and Kyiv continue to cloud the situation on the ground, with independent verification remaining challenging.
