On Thursday, Russia accused Ukraine of a drone attack that reportedly killed at least 24 people, including children, in a hotel and cafe where civilians were celebrating New Year in the Russian-controlled Kherson region of southern Ukraine.
The Ukrainian military, which often blames Russia for civilian deaths in Ukrainian cities, did not immediately reply to requests for comments via email.
The first statement condemning the strike came from the region’s Russian-installed governor, Vladimir Sardo. Following this, the Russian Foreign Ministry and top politicians labeled the incident a “terrorist attack” by Ukraine.
Images from the scene depicted a heavy fire and signs of destruction, with at least one body covered in a white sheet visible. However, Reuters was unable to verify the authenticity of these images or the reports coming from Sardo’s news agency.
Sardo described the attack, claiming three Ukrainian drones targeted celebrations in the coastal village of Korly, labeling it a “deliberate attack” on civilians, stating that many people faced horrific outcomes.
The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that early reports indicated 24 fatalities, including one child, and 50 injuries, with several minors hospitalized. They asserted that the attack was premeditated, aimed squarely at areas busy with New Year festivities, and referred to it as a “war crime.”
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, mentioned that Russia planned to respond in kind, emphasizing that those responsible and their commanders should face repercussions.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, communicated via Telegram, asserting that Ukraine’s Western allies share in the responsibility. Prominent politicians in Russia, including the leaders of both parliamentary houses, vocally condemned Kiev.
It’s important to note that Kherson is one of four regions that Russia claimed in 2022, a move widely criticized by Ukraine and many Western nations as an illegal annexation.
