Russia on Thursday accused Ukraine of carrying out a deadly drone strike on a hotel in the Moscow-controlled part of southern Kherson, killing at least 20 people celebrating the New Year. The attack comes at a delicate moment in ongoing diplomatic efforts to broker an end to the nearly four-year war, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently saying his country was “10 per cent” away from a potential peace deal.
According to Vladimir Saldo, the Russia-appointed governor of Kherson, three drones fired by “the enemy” struck a café and hotel on the Black Sea coast in Khorly, where civilians had gathered for New Year celebrations. Images posted by Saldo on Telegram showed a building gutted by fire, piles of smouldering rubble, and charred remains. Saldo said more than 100 people had been at the hotel that night.
Russia’s Investigative Committee confirmed it had opened a probe into the strike, stating that more than 20 people were killed and many more injured. The Russian foreign ministry described the incident as a “terrorist attack,” accused Ukraine of deliberately “torpedoing” efforts toward peace, and warned Kyiv of “appropriate consequences.”
Kyiv has not commented on the allegations. The strike comes amid heightened tensions after Moscow earlier this week accused Ukraine of attempting a drone attack on one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences—a claim Kyiv dismissed as lacking “plausible” evidence.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy said Russia continued its offensive into the New Year with more than 200 drones launched overnight, primarily targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Ukraine’s power operator, Ukrenergo, reported that a “significant number of consumers” had their electricity cut. Railway and port infrastructure were also damaged during the barrage.
The attacks extended to Kharkiv, where a Russian strike hit a city park containing a zoo. One person was injured, and animals—including lions, pheasants, and parrots—were killed or wounded, park owner Oleksandr Feldman told Ukrainian media.
Ukrainian forces have faced intense pressure throughout 2025, both on the battlefield and from Russian bombardment. Analysis of Ukrainian air force data showed a slight decline in Russian drone and missile attacks in December, with at least 5,134 drones launched—six percent fewer than the previous month—and missile attacks down 18 percent. Ukraine, however, destroyed a slightly smaller share of the incoming ordnance, 80 percent compared with 82 percent in November.
International diplomacy is ongoing. Former US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly highlighted his role as a peacemaker, has reportedly engaged with both sides in an effort to halt the fighting. Ukraine and its allies maintain that Russia has no genuine interest in peace and is using the conflict to seize more territory.
Russia announced on Thursday that it would provide the United States with “decrypted data” from the drone allegedly targeting Putin’s residence. “These materials will be transferred to the American side through established channels,” the Russian defense ministry said. International skepticism remains regarding Moscow’s claims.
Zelenskyy is set to meet with leaders of Kyiv’s allies from the so-called coalition of the willing next week in France, following a preliminary meeting of security advisers from allied countries in Ukraine on Saturday. The diplomatic meetings aim to strengthen coordination among Ukraine’s supporters and explore potential pathways toward ending the war.
The deadly drone strike in Khorly underscores the fragility of any ongoing peace efforts. Tens of thousands have been killed, eastern Ukraine has been devastated, and millions have been displaced since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. As both sides continue to trade accusations and launch attacks, the prospects for a swift resolution remain uncertain.
