Overview
- Russian-installed authorities in Kherson say three Ukrainian drones hit a café and hotel in Khorly during New Year celebrations, reporting at least 24 dead and dozens injured, with no immediate response from Kyiv and no independent verification.
- Moscow labeled the strike deliberate, opened a criminal case, declared two days of mourning, and pressed UN human rights officials to condemn the attack.
- Kyiv reported that Russia launched more than 200 drones against Ukrainian energy infrastructure on New Year’s, while Russia claimed its air defenses intercepted 86 Ukrainian drones over several regions and Crimea.
- U.S. intelligence assessed that Ukraine did not target a residence used by Vladimir Putin near Valdai, as Russia delivered drone fragments and decoded route data to a U.S. military attaché to support its allegation contested by Ukraine and Western officials.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky said a peace deal is 90% formulated but unresolved issues on territory and security guarantees remain, as Ukraine signals plans to expand drone and long-range strike capabilities in 2026 and U.S. envoys keep engaging both sides.