Russia claims Ukrainian drone strike kills 24 in Kherson as conflict intensifies amid peace talks
Russian officials on Thursday claimed that a Ukrainian drone strike killed 24 people and injured at least 50 others during New Year celebrations in the Russian-occupied Kherson region, highlighting the ongoing intensity of the conflict even as peace talks advance.
Three drones reportedly struck a café and a hotel in the resort town of Khorly on the Black Sea coast, according to Vladimir Saldo , the Moscow-installed head of the region. He said one of the drones carried an incendiary mixture, triggering a fire. Ukrainian authorities did not immediately comment, and the claims could not be independently verified due to restricted access in the occupied area.
The incident drew condemnation from Russian officials. Valentina Matviyenko , chair of Russia’s upper house of parliament, said the strike “strengthened” Moscow’s resolve to achieve its objectives in its nearly four-year invasion and “demonstrates the validity of our initial demands.”
The statement comes after Russian claims that Ukraine launched a long-range drone attack on one of President Vladimir Putin’s official residences in northwestern Russia earlier this week, an allegation Kyiv dismissed as a “lie” intended to undermine ongoing negotiations. Russia’s Defence Ministry released a video showing a downed drone and a masked man in camouflage near it, but the footage lacked location or timing and could not be independently verified.
Rising tensions amid peace talks
Despite ongoing negotiations, fighting continues across both Ukrainian and Russian-controlled areas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his New Year address that a peace deal is “90 per cent ready,” but warned that unresolved issues, particularly territory, would determine the fate of Ukraine and Europe.
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said he, Secretary of State Marco Rubio , and adviser Jared Kushner held a “productive call” with national security advisers from Britain, France, Germany, and Ukraine to advance the European peace process. Discussions focused on security guarantees and deconfliction mechanisms to prevent a restart of the war, while Ukraine’s lead negotiator Rustem Umerov confirmed meetings with European officials are scheduled for Saturday, with Zelenskyy set to meet European leaders next week.
Waves of drone attacks highlight conflict intensity
The use of drones by both sides underscores the conflict’s continuing intensity. Russian forces launched multiple drone attacks on Odesa overnight, hitting civilian infrastructure, according to regional governor Oleh Kiper . A two-storey residential building was damaged, and a drone struck an apartment on the 17th floor of a high-rise without detonating. No casualties were reported.
Ukraine’s air force said its air defence units intercepted 176 of 205 drones targeting the country overnight, recording hits by 24 strike drones at 15 locations. The ongoing strikes indicate that both sides continue offensive operations even as diplomatic negotiations progress.
Experts say the scale and frequency of drone attacks by both Russia and Ukraine reflect not only high operational tempo and broadening targets , but also strategic attempts to pressure the other side while shaping conditions for peace talks.