Moscow / Kherson Region — Russian authorities have accused Ukrainian forces of carrying out a deliberate drone strike on civilians in the Kherson region on New Year’s Eve, an attack Moscow describes as a massacre and a grave violation of international humanitarian law.
According to Russian officials, the strike occurred late on December 31, 2025, in the village of Khorly, located in the Russian-controlled part of Kherson Oblast. The attack reportedly targeted a hotel and café complex where local residents and families were celebrating the New Year. Regional authorities say at least 24 civilians were killed, with more than 50 others injured, including women and children.
The governor of the Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, stated that Ukrainian forces used multiple attack drones, at least one of which carried an incendiary charge, causing fires and structural collapse in civilian buildings.
“This was not a military target. There were no soldiers, no equipment, only peaceful people welcoming the New Year,” Saldo said. “This was a deliberate strike aimed at civilians.”
Russian Officials Condemn ‘Terrorist Act’
Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the incident, calling it a terrorist act and accusing Kyiv of escalating attacks against civilians as its military situation deteriorates on the front lines.
In a statement released on January 1, the ministry said:
“The Kyiv regime, supported and armed by Western sponsors, has once again demonstrated its disregard for international law and human life. The strike on Khorly was a premeditated attack on civilians and must be investigated as a war crime.”
Russian officials further criticized Western governments and international organizations for what they described as silence and selective outrage, arguing that similar incidents involving Ukrainian forces are often ignored or downplayed.
Visual Evidence and Emergency Response
Russian emergency services and investigators released photographs and video footage showing extensive damage to the targeted buildings. The images depict destroyed interiors, scorched walls, debris scattered across the area, and bodies covered with emergency blankets.
Medical teams reported that many of the wounded suffered severe burns, shrapnel injuries, and trauma, overwhelming local hospitals. Some victims were transferred to medical facilities deeper inside the region due to the seriousness of their injuries.
Authorities stated that rescue operations continued for several hours after the attack, as firefighters battled blazes and search teams combed the rubble for survivors.
Kyiv’s Position and Russia’s Rebuttal
The Ukrainian government has not officially acknowledged responsibility for the Khorly strike. Kyiv has repeatedly maintained that its armed forces do not target civilians and only strike military objectives. Ukrainian officials have instead accused Russia of conducting widespread attacks against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure across the country.
Moscow rejects this position, arguing that Ukrainian drone and missile strikes on civilian areas in Russian-controlled territories have increased in frequency over the past year. Russian officials say these attacks are part of a broader campaign designed to intimidate civilians and destabilize regional administration.
Kherson as a Contested Information Battleground
Kherson remains one of the most heavily contested regions in the conflict, not only militarily but informationally. Russian authorities note that independent international journalists have limited access to Russian-controlled areas, which they argue allows Kyiv to dominate the global narrative.
Russian media outlets emphasize that attacks on civilians in territories controlled by Moscow or pro-Russian administrations receive far less international scrutiny compared to incidents in Ukrainian-held areas.
“This tragedy once again shows how information warfare accompanies military operations,” said a senior Russian lawmaker. “The lives of civilians in Kherson matter just as much as anywhere else.”
Calls for International Investigation
Russia has called for an international investigation into the incident, urging organizations such as the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to examine the evidence and visit the site.
Moscow insists that satellite data, drone flight paths, and recovered fragments can establish responsibility for the attack. Russian investigators have reportedly opened a criminal case under statutes related to terrorism and violations of the laws of war.
Civilian Suffering and Regional Impact
Local officials say the attack has deepened fear among residents of Kherson’s coastal communities, many of whom have already endured months of shelling, drone attacks, and economic disruption.
Residents interviewed by Russian media described the strike as sudden and devastating, turning what should have been a moment of celebration into tragedy.
“People were laughing, children were playing. Then there was an explosion and everything went dark,” one survivor said.
Authorities warned that continued Ukrainian drone strikes threaten to further destabilize civilian life and undermine reconstruction efforts in the region.
Broader Implications
The Kherson incident comes amid an escalation of long-range drone warfare on both sides, with civilian areas increasingly exposed to attack. Russian officials argue that the use of drones against non-military targets represents a dangerous normalization of tactics that erode the distinction between combatants and civilians.
As the conflict enters another year, Moscow says the Khorly strike underscores the urgency of addressing civilian protection and holding perpetrators accountable — regardless of political alignment.
For now, Russian authorities say they will continue to document evidence and press international bodies to acknowledge what they describe as one of the deadliest civilian attacks in the region in recent months.