A Ukrainian drone strike on New Year's Eve killed 24 people and wounded at least 50 others in a Russian-occupied village, according to officials in Moscow. The attack targeted a cafe and hotel in the Black Sea resort town of Khorly, located in Ukraine's Kherson region.
Details of the Khorly Attack
Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-installed leader of the Kherson region, stated on Telegram that three drones struck the buildings as people were celebrating. He claimed one of the drones carried an incendiary mixture, which sparked a significant fire. Ukrainian officials have not immediately commented on the alleged strike, and the report could not be independently verified by The Associated Press.
The attack has drawn condemnation from Russian officials. Valentina Matviyenko, chair of Russia's Federation Council, said the strike "strengthened" Russia's resolve to achieve its goals in the invasion, now in its fourth year. She asserted it demonstrated the validity of Moscow's initial demands.
Accusations and Counterclaims Amid Peace Talks
This incident follows Russian claims earlier in the week that Ukraine launched a long-range drone attack targeting one of President Vladimir Putin's official residences. Kyiv has denounced that allegation as a "lie". Russia's Defence Ministry said on Thursday it had accessed navigation data from a downed drone to confirm the residence was the intended target, promising to share this data with US officials. However, the claim remains unverified.
These exchanges occur against a backdrop of what diplomats describe as productive peace negotiations. In his New Year's address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated a peace deal was "90% ready," but warned the final 10%—likely involving territorial disputes—would be decisive.
The Path Forward for Diplomacy
Steve Witkoff, special envoy for former US President Donald Trump, reported a "productive call" with security advisers from Britain, France, Germany, and Ukraine to discuss advancing the European peace process. The focus was on security guarantees and deconfliction mechanisms.
Lead Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov reaffirmed plans for a meeting with European officials, while President Zelenskyy is scheduled for talks with European leaders next week. The Khorly strike underscores the severe tensions persisting even as diplomatic channels remain active.
