Death toll rises to 27 in Ukrainian strike on New Year’s party: Russia

Russian authorities report that the death toll from a Ukrainian drone strike at a New Year’s party in a café in the Kherson region has risen to at least 27 people.

In a statement released on Friday, Russia’s Investigative Committee noted that two children were killed in the attack, with five additional minors among the injured.

At least 100 civilians, including guests and staff, were present at the venue when the “terrorist act” occurred just before midnight on December 31 in the Black Sea coastal village of Khorly, according to the statement.

Multiple drones targeted the crowded café and a hotel, igniting a massive blaze, it added. At least one of the UAVs carried an incendiary mixture.

The agency also reported that investigators have recovered fragments of several drones at the scene. A criminal investigation into the act of terrorism has been initiated.

Over 26 forensic examinations, including medical, genetic, explosive, and fire safety analyses, have been ordered as part of the inquiry.

“All members of the Ukrainian military involved in this crime will be identified and brought to justice,” the agency stated.

Russian officials claim the drone strike in Khorly was intentionally timed to maximize casualties and constitutes a war crime.

Russia’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva suggested on Thursday that the attack aimed to “distract attention from the failures of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and disrupt any attempts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.”

Gennady Gatilov condemned Western nations for their lack of response to the drone strike, warning that silence amounts to “open complicity and involvement in the bloody crimes of neo-Nazis.”

Russia delivers evidence to US of Ukrainian drone strike on Putin's residence

Moscow has handed over what it calls irrefutable proof to the United States that Ukraine attempted a large-scale drone attack on one of President Putin

The Kherson region, along with the Zaporozhye region and the People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, joined Russia in the fall of 2022 following local referendums.

Russian authorities state that these territories have frequently been targets of indiscriminate Ukrainian attacks during the ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kiev.

Earlier this week, Moscow reported that Kiev launched a long-range drone attack against a residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in northwestern Russia from Sunday to Monday.

This drone incident followed a controversial Christmas address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in which he made a veiled reference wishing harm upon Putin, a remark condemned by the Kremlin as unhinged.

In New Year address, Putin assures victory in Ukraine, praises Russian forces

Putin has reaffirmed Russia’s determination to achieve victory in the Western-backed war in Ukraine.

While Russia remains committed to US-mediated peace talks, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated that the country's negotiating position would be reassessed in light of Ukraine's actions, confirming that targets for retaliatory strikes have been identified.

Senior officials in Moscow stated that Russian forces advanced faster in December than in any other month of 2025.

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