Russia has accused Ukraine of killing at least 27 people in a drone strike on a New Year's party in a hotel and cafe in the Russian-occupied southern Kherson region.
According to the Russia-installed regional governor, Vladimir Saldo, more than 30 people were injured in the alleged attack, which he described as occurring in the village of Khorly on the Black Sea.
When approached for comment, Ukraine stated it would not directly respond to information from the governors of occupied regions. However, it affirmed adherence to international humanitarian law, conducting strikes solely against military targets.
As reported by AFP, a source within Ukraine's defense forces confirmed an attack did occur but maintained it was directed at a military gathering closed to civilians.
Saldo alleged the attack was executed using three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), targeting a cafe and hotel on the Black Sea coast in Khorly.
The BBC has not independently verified either the claims or the casualty figures provided.
Saldo stated he had personally informed President Vladimir Putin of the attack.
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine is aware of the alleged incident and intends to verify reported civilian harm for upcoming reports.
Images released by Russian state media depicted a severely damaged room with a collapsed roof, and one photo seemed to show a body covered by a sheet.
The specific location of the alleged attack has not been explicitly detailed by authorities in Kherson; however, images suggest it took place in a three-storey hotel and restaurant previously named 'Ukrainian House' and now referred to as 'Buganova's Cafe'.
Russia's Investigative Committee has opened an investigation into this attack. Simultaneously, the Russian foreign affairs ministry accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of attempting to intimidate the populations of regions that Russia claims to have 'reunited' following controversial referendums.
With Moscow occupying over half of the southern Kherson region, which was 'annexed' in a referendum deemed illegitimate by Ukraine and its allies, this alleged attack coincides with ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the war. Zelensky expressed in his New Year speech that a potential agreement with Russia, mediated by the U.S., was '90% ready'.
Earlier, Russia accused Ukraine of conducting a drone strike on one of Putin's residences—a claim Ukraine vehemently denied.
Ukraine's foreign intelligence service also released a statement this week, accusing Russia of orchestrating large-scale provocations that may involve human casualties, aiming to undermine peace negotiations.
