Russia stated on Thursday that Kyiv was responsible for a deadly drone hit on a hotel in the Moscow-controlled section of Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, which killed at least 20 people celebrating the New Year.
The claims come at a critical time, following weeks of diplomacy aimed at bringing an end to the almost four-year war, and as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that his country was “10 percent” away from a peace settlement.
According to Vladimir Saldo, Russia’s appointed governor of the Kherson region, “the enemy” fired three drones that “struck a cafe and hotel on the Black Sea coast in Khorly,” where “civilians were celebrating the New Year.”
Kyiv has not responded to the charges.
Russia’s Investigative Committee says it has launched an investigation into the attack, which “killed more than 20 people and injured many more.”
Saldo uploaded photographs on Telegram showing a structure devastated by fire, mounds of burning rubble, and burnt victims.
Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, accused Ukraine of carrying out a “terrorist” attack against civilians.
According to Zelensky, Russia continued the war “into the New Year” by firing over 200 drones overnight, primarily targeting energy facilities.
“A significant number of consumers” were cut off from power, Ukraine’s power operator, Ukrenergo, said. Railway and port infrastructure was also damaged in the latest barrage.
Ukraine was under enormous pressure in 2025, both from Russian shelling and on the battlefield, where it steadily lost terrain to the Russian army.
According to an AFP examination of Ukrainian air force data, Russian drone and missile assaults on Ukraine decreased slightly overnight in December.
According to the data, Russia launched at least 5,134 drones in overnight strikes in December 2025, 6% fewer than the previous month, while the quantity of missiles plummeted by 18% during the same period.
However, the same statistics showed that Ukraine destroyed a lesser share of the total number of missiles and drones in December—80% vs 82% in November.
US President Donald Trump, who frequently complains that he is not seen as a peacemaker, has been in negotiations with both sides in an attempt to cease the conflict.
Kyiv claims Russia is not interested in peace and is purposefully sabotaging diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in order to take more Ukrainian territory.
Moscow accused Ukraine earlier this week of planning a drone attack on one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s mansions, prompting a furious response from Kyiv, which claimed there was no “plausible” evidence of such an attack.
Ukraine’s allies have also questioned Russia’s allegation, but Moscow announced on Thursday that it will pass over “decrypted data” from the drone that was purportedly targeting the private property.
“These materials will be transferred to the American side through established channels,” the Russian defense ministry said in a statement.
Zelensky announced on Tuesday that he will meet with leaders of Kyiv’s supporters from the so-called coalition of the willing next week in France.
On Saturday, allied security advisers will meet in Ukraine ahead of the summit.
