Amidst stalled peace negotiations and nearly four years of conflict, a deadly drone strike in Russian-occupied Kherson has reportedly killed at least 24 people, sharply escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia [[1]]. The attack, which targeted a café and hotel in the village of Khorly during New Year’s celebrations, has prompted accusations of terrorism from Moscow and renewed concerns over civilian safety in the war-torn region [[3]]. As both sides trade accusations of escalating aggression, the incident casts a somber shadow over already fragile diplomatic efforts [[2]].
Jakarta –
A drone strike on a café in the Russian-controlled Kherson region of southern Ukraine killed at least 24 people on Friday, January 2, 2026, according to Russian officials. Moscow has blamed Ukraine for the attack, alleging it undermines peace efforts.
The incident comes at a critical juncture in the nearly four-year-long conflict, as diplomatic efforts to negotiate a ceasefire have stalled. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently indicated his country is “10 percent” away from reaching a peace agreement.
The attack underscores the continued violence in Ukraine and the challenges facing ongoing diplomatic initiatives.
According to Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed governor of the Kherson region, three drones struck a café and hotel in Khorly, a Black Sea coastal area, where civilians were celebrating the New Year.
Images shared by Saldo on Telegram showed a building largely destroyed by fire, with smoldering debris and charred bodies visible at the scene.
Russia’s Investigative Committee has launched an investigation into the strike, which reportedly resulted in over 20 fatalities. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated the exact number of casualties is still being determined. Saldo indicated that more than 100 people were gathered at the hotel at the time of the attack.
The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the incident as a “terrorist attack” and called on international organizations to denounce it, warning Kyiv of potential repercussions. Moscow also accused Ukrainian authorities of deliberately obstructing any attempts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Meanwhile, Zelensky stated that Russia launched over 200 drones overnight, primarily targeting energy facilities, as a way to mark the New Year with continued aggression.
In the Kharkiv region, a separate Russian strike hit a park containing a zoo, injuring one person. The attack also harmed several animals, including a lion, and killed doves and parrots, according to Oleksandr Feldman, the park’s owner, as reported by Ukrainian media.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed, eastern Ukraine has been devastated, and millions have been displaced since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
(wnv/wnv)
