At a Glance
- 24 killed, 50 wounded in Khorly during New Year celebrations.
- Three drones struck a café and hotel; one carried an incendiary mixture.
- Russian officials say the strike strengthens resolve and validates demands.
- Why it matters: The attack highlights ongoing violence in occupied Kherson amid tense peace talks.
On Thursday, Russian officials reported a deadly drone strike in the resort town of Khorly, killing 24 people and wounding at least 50 during New Year celebrations. The attack, claimed to involve three drones, has intensified tensions as Ukraine and Russia engage in high-stakes diplomatic talks.
Drone Attack Details
Three drones hit a café and hotel in the resort town of Khorly on the Black Sea coast, killing 24 and wounding at least 50. One drone carried an incendiary mixture that sparked a blaze. Ukrainian officials did not comment and the Associated Press could not verify the strike.
- 24 fatalities
- 50 injuries
- 3 drones
- Location: Khorly, Kherson region
Russian Reaction
Russian officials condemned the attack. Valentina Matviyenko said:
> “The strike strengthened our resolve to quickly achieve our goals in this almost four-year invasion of Ukraine.”
Valentina Matviyenko added:
> “The strike once again demonstrates the validity of our initial demands.”
The claim could not be verified by independent sources.
Broader Context
Amid the strike, Ukraine is pushing the IAEA to act against Russia for attacks on nuclear power plants. Russian officials also claim a drone strike on President Putin’s residence, which Kyiv denies. Diplomatic talks continue with Zelenskyy saying the peace deal is 90% ready.
- Ukraine urges IAEA action on nuclear infrastructure
- Russia alleges attack on Putin’s residence
- Zelenskyy claims peace deal 90% ready
Key Takeaways
- Drone strike in Khorly killed 24 and wounded 50.
- Russian officials see the attack as strengthening resolve.
- The incident occurs amid tense peace negotiations.
The strike underscores the volatility of the conflict and the stakes of ongoing diplomatic efforts.
