Overview
- Russian-installed governor Vladimir Saldo told state media the death toll from drones that hit a hotel and café in Khorly has risen to 28, with more than 60 reported injured.
- Russia’s Investigative Committee opened a terrorism case and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin was briefed on the investigation.
- Ukraine’s General Staff said it did not target civilians and listed New Year strikes on military and energy sites, while an unnamed Ukrainian defense source told AFP the Khorly hit was on a military gathering closed to civilians.
- Photos and video published by Saldo show a burned-out building and bodies, but international outlets, including AFP and the Kyiv Independent, say they cannot independently verify events in the occupied village.
- The dispute unfolds during ongoing cross-border drone attacks and as Moscow pushes claims—rejected by Kyiv and U.S. officials—about an attempted Ukrainian strike on Putin’s residence, which Russia says it has presented “evidence” for to the U.S.