A New Year's Eve drone strike in a Russian-occupied village in Ukraine's Kherson region has left 24 people dead and 50 injured, according to Russian officials. The attack occurred as residents were celebrating the new year, marking a grim start to 2024. Three drones targeted a cafe and hotel in the resort town of Khorly, with one carrying an incendiary mixture, causing a fire. The incident has sparked tensions, with Russian officials condemning the attack and claiming it reinforces their resolve to achieve their invasion goals. However, Ukrainian officials have not yet commented, and the Associated Press cannot verify the incident independently.
This attack comes amidst rising tensions and conflicting claims. Moscow accused Ukraine of launching a long-range drone attack on Vladimir Putin's residence in northwest Russia on Tuesday, but Kyiv denied the allegations. Russia's defense ministry claims to have accessed the drone's navigation system, confirming Putin's residence as the target, and plans to share this data with US officials. However, the CIA has reportedly determined that no attack took place, and Donald Trump's initial anger over the claims has been met with skepticism.
The night-time drone strike video released by Russia's defense ministry shows a man in camouflage gear near a damaged drone, but the location and date remain unverified. Kyiv has dismissed the allegations as a ploy to derail peace negotiations, which have been gaining momentum. Meanwhile, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a peace deal is 90% ready, with the remaining 10% crucial for the future of peace, Ukraine, and Europe.
International efforts to advance the peace process continue. Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy, reported a productive call with national security advisors from Britain, France, Germany, and Ukraine, focusing on strengthening security guarantees and deconfliction mechanisms. Ukraine's lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, confirmed upcoming meetings with European officials and talks between Zelenskyy and European leaders next week.
