Drone Strike on Cafe in Occupied Kherson Region Kills 27, Injures Over 30
On New Year's Day, a drone strike hit a cafe and hotel in Khorly, located in the Russian-occupied Kherson region, resulting in 27 deaths and more than 30 injuries, according to Vladimir Saldo, the Russia-installed governor of Kherson. Saldo stated that three UAVs targeted a cafe and hotel on the Black Sea coast, which was formerly known as Ukrainian House and is currently operating as Buganova's Cafe. Russian state media released photos showing damage to a room with a collapsed roof.
Ukrainian officials have not directly responded to claims from officials in the occupied regions but maintain that Ukraine adheres to international humanitarian law and targets only military objects. A source within Ukraine's defense forces noted that the strike hit a military gathering away from civilian areas.
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine is investigating the alleged attack and plans to verify any civilian harm, with findings to be reported in future updates. Meanwhile, Russia's Investigative Committee has opened an official inquiry into the incident. The Russian foreign ministry accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of intimidating populations in Russia-annexed regions through referendums.
Kherson was annexed by Russia in 2022 through a referendum condemned by Ukraine and its allies. In his New Year address, Zelensky mentioned that a peace agreement brokered by the United States was 90% complete. Earlier in the week, Russia accused Ukraine of carrying out a drone attack on one of President Putin's residences, a claim Ukraine denied. Furthermore, Ukraine's foreign intelligence service accused Russia of planning large-scale provocations intended to cause casualties and disrupt peace negotiations.
