Overview
- Russian investigators confirmed 27 dead and 31 injured in a New Year’s night drone attack on a cafe and hotel in the Kherson region village of Horly, opening a terrorism case as regional governor Vladimir Saldo detailed strikes on civilians.
- Russia’s Defense Ministry denied conducting strikes in Kharkiv on January 2 and said video evidence points to a likely detonation of Ukrainian ammunition stored in the city’s Persona shopping center.
- Heavy drone activity was reported over Russian regions, with the Defense Ministry citing multiple interceptions, including 11 fixed‑wing drones shot down in a six‑hour period, and Belgorod authorities reporting more than 70 drone attacks in 24 hours that caused injuries and damage.
- Ukrainian media and official alerts reported overnight explosions in Mykolaiv and two air‑raid warnings in Kyiv, reflecting ongoing strikes and air‑defense activity.
- Caracas saw at least seven explosions with reports of aircraft overhead and power outages near a military base, as Venezuelan authorities accused the United States, declared a state of emergency, and appealed to the UN Security Council while no U.S. official statements were issued.