Russia claims that a Ukrainian drone attack in the occupied Kherson region killed 24 people.

Numerous people were killed and injured in an overnight Ukrainian drone strike on a hotel and cafe on the Black Sea coast, according to Russian-installed authorities in the Kherson region.As locals celebrated the New Year, three drones struck the buildings in the village of Khorly, killing at least 24 and wounded over 50, according to a Telegram post by Vladimir Saldo, Russia’s appointed head of the occupied Kherson area. He claimed that one of the drones was equipped with an incendiary weapon.

Although Saldo later shared pictures purportedly depicting the aftermath, the accusations could not be independently confirmed. In a statement on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy alleged that Russia had fired over 200 drones against Ukraine overnight, targeting energy facilities in multiple locations, although he did not address any such incident.

Despite a flurry of diplomatic activity as US President Donald Trump works to secure a conclusion to the dispute that has stretched on for nearly four years, attacks from both sides continue. The Kremlin later declared that it would strengthen its negotiating stance, notwithstanding Trump and Zelenskiy’s optimistic remarks about the peace negotiations last weekend.

Earlier this week, Moscow claimed that Ukraine had attacked President Vladimir Putin’s home in the Novgorod region, but it offered no concrete proof to back up this assertion. In a denial, Kyiv charged that Russia was trying to sabotage peace talks. According to the New York Times, the US Central Intelligence Agency has recently concluded that none of Putin’s homes were targeted by Ukraine.

According to Saldo, the severe fire created by the purported drone assault in Kherson hindered the rescue services from saving further lives, but the fire has since been contained. The number of injuries and fatalities, which includes a toddler, are preliminary and could change, he said.

According to Interfax, Russia’s Investigative Committee declared in a separate statement that it has launched a criminal probe. On Thursday, Ukraine reported that over 100,000 people had lost power due to an attack on energy facilities in the western province of Volyn. According to Zelenskiy, energy assets in the areas of Rivne, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv were also targeted. Additionally, Russia attacked the ports of Odesa and Izmail once more, causing infrastructure and equipment damage.

Due to Russia’s ongoing attacks on civilian and energy targets, thousands of people are without heating, water, or electricity in the bitter cold. In December, Kyiv intensified its strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, targeting the greatest number of assets since the start of the conflict.

Drone debris fell around the Ilsky refinery in the Krasnodar region overnight, starting a fire that was put out by morning, according to Russian authorities on Thursday. The refinery can process roughly 130,000 barrels per day.