Russia accuses Ukraine of killing 24 people in an attack on Kherson
Russia on Thursday accused the Ukrainian military of launching a massive drone attack on New Year's Eve that killed 24 people and injured dozens in the village of Khursun in the Russian-controlled Kherson region of southern Ukraine.
Details of the bloody attack in Kherson
The Russian Investigative Committee announced in an official statement that the attack targeted a crowded cafe in the village of Khorly, describing the shelling as "intense" and carried out by multiple Ukrainian drones. Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-appointed governor of the Kherson region, confirmed via Telegram that the initial death toll was at least 24, with dozens more injured.
The Russian official posted photos showing the extent of the destruction, including charred bodies and the wreckage of a completely destroyed building, and declared two days of official mourning in the Russian-controlled parts of the Kherson region. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described the incident as a "terrorist attack" deliberately targeting civilians during New Year's celebrations. There has been no official comment from the Ukrainian side regarding these accusations so far.
The strategic and geographical importance of Kherson
The village of Kherson is located on a peninsula directly overlooking the Black Sea and is considered one of the areas that were seized by Russian forces in the early days of the invasion that began in February 2022. The Kherson region is of great strategic importance as it forms the land bridge linking the Crimean Peninsula (which was annexed by Russia in 2014) and the Russian mainland, as well as controlling the water supply to Crimea.
In the fall of 2022, Ukrainian forces, in a large-scale counter-offensive, successfully recaptured the city of Kherson (the provincial capital) and the western bank of the Dnieper River, forcing Russian forces to retreat to the eastern bank. Since then, the Dnieper River has become a natural line of contact and a flashpoint between the two sides, with artillery fire and drone attacks exchanged almost daily.
Drone war and escalating tensions
This attack highlights a qualitative shift in the course of the Russian-Ukrainian war, where "drone warfare" has become the defining characteristic of the current confrontations. The arrival of drones in the village of Khorly, relatively deep within Russian-controlled territory and far from the immediate front line, reflects the development of Ukrainian forces' reconnaissance and targeting capabilities.
Observers believe that targeting gatherings during holidays and celebrations carries psychological implications aimed at undermining morale, and underscores that no place is entirely safe in the contested areas. This escalation threatens further tension in the region, especially given the absence of any prospect for a near-term political solution and the continued military buildup by both sides as the war enters its third year.
