Ukrainian Drone Strike Claims 24 Lives
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A drone strike by Ukraine reportedly resulted in the deaths of 24 individuals and left over 50 wounded while they were celebrating the New Year in a Russian-occupied village in the Kherson region, according to Russian officials on Thursday. This incident comes as tensions between the two nations escalate, despite diplomatic exchanges being labeled as productive.
Details of the Attack
Three drones targeted a cafe and hotel in Khorly, a resort town along the Black Sea, as stated by Vladimir Saldo, the leader appointed by Moscow in the region. He asserted that one of the drones released an incendiary substance, igniting a fire.
Ukrainian Response and Claims
Ukrainian officials have not yet responded to these claims regarding the drone strike, and The Associated Press could not independently verify the attack. Several Russian officials condemned the incident, with Valentina Matviyenko, chair of the Federation Council, asserting that the strike would bolster Russia’s determination to achieve its objectives in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Russia’s Allegations Against Ukraine
The strike has come in the wake of Moscow’s assertion that Ukraine carried out a long-range drone attack on one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences in northwestern Russia earlier this week, which Kyiv has dismissed as fabricated.
Claims of Drone Navigation System Access
On Thursday, Russia’s Ministry of Defense stated that its experts had accessed the navigation data from one of the drones purportedly involved in the attack, claiming it confirmed Putin’s residence as the intended target. However, this assertion lacks independent verification since no evidence was provided by the ministry.
Continued Diplomatic Efforts
Amid these developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned in his New Year’s address that a peace agreement is “90% ready,” though he warned that the final 10% could significantly impact the fate of peace, Ukraine, and Europe. Meanwhile, discussions among national security advisers from the U.S., Britain, France, Germany, and Ukraine regarding advancing peace initiatives have taken place, as noted by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Ongoing Hostilities in Ukraine
Beyond the drone strike, Russia has reportedly targeted civilian infrastructure in the Odesa region with multiple drone strikes, damaging residential buildings but resulting in no casualties. Ukraine’s air force reported having neutralized 176 of the 205 drones aimed at the country during the previous night.
