A Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian-controlled area in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine has killed at least 20 people, Russian authorities reported on Thursday. “Three drones struck a cafe and a hotel on the Black Sea coast in Khorli,” Vladimir Saldo, governor of the Russian-occupied Kherson region, declared on Telegram. “According to preliminary information, more than 50 people were injured and 24 died. The figures are being clarified. Many were burned alive. A child died,” the pro-Russian governor added via Telegram. According to the governor, the drones were carrying incendiary material, previously used to burn farmland in the occupied region. “This is the peace that (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky claims to seek,” he added.

Russian Attacks Against Ukraine

Zelensky, for his part, condemned the Russian drone attack launched on New Year's Eve and into the early hours of New Year's Day against Ukraine, in which one person died in the southern region of Kherson, according to local authorities, and more than 100,000 people were left without electricity in the western region of Volhynia. “The deaths must stop,” Zelensky said on his Telegram channel, where he accused Russia of deliberately continuing the war.

“On New Year's Eve, Russia deliberately continues the war: more than 200 drones were launched against Ukraine tonight. Most of them were successfully shot down, and I thank all our soldiers who repelled this attack,” Zelensky said. “If the attacks do not cease during the New Year holidays, the deliveries of the air defense systems cannot be delayed. Our allies have the necessary equipment,” stated the Ukrainian president, who expressed his gratitude for the international support for his country. Today, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense announced that it has just added two Patriot systems to its arsenal, intended for the protection of cities and critical infrastructure, thanks to its cooperation with Germany.“We hope that everything we agreed upon with the United States regarding our defense in December will arrive on time,” he concluded, alluding to the latest contacts between Kyiv and Washington.