Kathmandu : Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned what it described as a drone attack by Ukrainian forces on civilian targets in the Kherson Region, alleging that the incident resulted in multiple casualties during New Year celebrations.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the attack occurred in the early hours of January 1 in the settlement of Khorly, where unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) reportedly struck a café and a hotel. The locations were said to be hosting local residents celebrating New Year’s Eve with their families.
The ministry stated that at least 24 civilians were killed, including one minor, while several dozen others were injured. Officials noted that casualty figures are still being clarified. Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case on terrorism-related charges. The Foreign Ministry said those responsible would be identified and held accountable under Russian law.
In its statement, the ministry accused Ukrainian authorities of targeting civilians and questioned Kyiv’s stated commitment to peace, referencing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s New Year address. It also linked the incident to what it described as recent military setbacks faced by Ukrainian forces. The ministry further alleged that Ukrainian drones attempted to strike the Russian president’s state residence in the Novgorod Region on December 29, 2025.
It claimed that Russian security services recovered navigation system data from a downed drone and intend to share the findings with the United States through official channels. Russian officials stated that air defense systems regularly intercept Ukrainian drones across multiple regions, including around Moscow, and claimed approximately ten such incidents occurred on January 1 alone.
The Foreign Ministry accused Kyiv of using drone attacks to divert attention from developments on the frontline and to disrupt efforts toward a negotiated settlement. It also placed responsibility on Western countries that provide military and financial support to Ukraine. In its concluding remarks, the ministry expressed condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. It called on foreign governments and international organizations to publicly condemn what it described as a terrorist attack on civilians in the Kherson Region.
