The death toll from a Ukrainian drone attack on a New Year's Eve celebration in a coastal village has risen to 27, Russian authorities reported on Friday. At least 31 others were wounded.
The strike occurred late on December 31 in the village of Khorly, in Kherson Region. Multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) hit a crowded cafe and hotel, sparking a major fire. The Russian Investigative Committee stated that at least one drone carried an incendiary payload.
"The attack was a deliberate terrorist act timed to maximize civilian casualties," a committee spokesperson said. "All those involved will be identified and held accountable."
Among the victims were two children, with five other minors injured. Investigators reported finding drone fragments at the scene and have ordered over two dozen forensic examinations.
Kherson Region was incorporated into Russia in 2022 following a local referendum, a move not recognized internationally. The area has seen frequent shelling and drone attacks throughout the ongoing conflict.
Russia’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Gennady Gatilov, accused Ukraine of using the strike to divert attention from military setbacks and derail peace efforts. He also criticized Western nations for their silence, calling it "tantamount to open complicity."