Russian officials have levelled a grave new accusation against Ukraine, alleging a deadly drone strike on a New Year's Eve celebration that killed at least two dozen people.
Details of the Kherson Region Allegation
Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-installed governor of Ukraine's occupied Kherson region, stated on Telegram that three Ukrainian drones targeted a hotel in the village of Khorly on 31 December. He branded the incident a 'bloody crime by the Kyiv regime'.
Saldo claimed the attack resulted in at least 24 fatalities, including one child, with more than 50 people injured. Of those hurt, 13 required hospital treatment. Russian state news agencies reported the subsequent fire covered an area of 500 square metres before being extinguished.
Photos circulated by NTV Russia, purportedly from the scene, depicted bodies within the charred wreckage of a building and what appeared to be blood stains on the ground. The exact location of the attack has not been independently verified. Russian authorities say they have opened an investigation.
A Pattern of Unverified Claims
This allegation comes swiftly after another high-profile claim by the Kremlin was cast into doubt. On Monday, Russian officials accused Ukraine of launching 91 long-range drones at a palace used by President Vladimir Putin on Lake Valdai, calling it an act of 'state terrorism'.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that 'such reckless actions will not go unanswered' and indicated Russia's negotiating stance would harden. However, no evidence was provided to support the alleged attack near Putin's residence.
Contradicting the official narrative, residents in Valdai told independent Russian media they heard no explosions that day. Furthermore, no social media footage of the supposed strike emerged, which is unusual for such incidents. The CIA director reportedly briefed former US President Donald Trump with an assessment that Ukraine was not responsible.
Context and Ongoing Conflict
Kherson is one of four Ukrainian regions that Russia unilaterally claimed to annex in 2022, though it does not fully control it. Ukraine's military had not issued a response to the latest drone strike allegations at the time of reporting.
These events underscore the intense and propagandistic nature of the information war running parallel to the military conflict, where claims often outpace verification. The international community continues to scrutinise such allegations amid the wider backdrop of violence.
