Ukraine Drone Strike on New Year Celebrations in Russia Kills at Least 24

Darwin, 01 January:

At least 24 people were killed and more than 50 others injured after Ukrainian forces carried out a drone attack during New Year celebrations in the Russian village of Khorly, located along the Black Sea coast, according to Russian authorities.

The incident occurred late Wednesday night in a Russia-controlled area of Ukraine’s Kherson region. Vladimir Saldo, the governor of the region, posted on Telegram on Thursday.

Saldo said residents had gathered on the lawn of a local hotel to mark the New Year. Earlier in the evening, a reconnaissance drone was reportedly seen surveying the area. Shortly before midnight, three explosive-laden drones struck the crowd, triggering fires across the hotel premises and surrounding grounds. At least one of the drones carried a large amount of explosives, he added.

In his statement, Saldo drew a comparison between the attack and the 2014 Odessa incident, accusing Ukrainian authorities of targeting civilians and questioning Kyiv’s stated commitment to peace.

Separately, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Ukrainian forces launched at least nine explosive drones toward various districts of the Russian capital on the same night. He claimed all of the drones were intercepted and destroyed by Russia’s air defense systems before reaching their targets.

Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on the allegations.
Source: RT