MOSCOW

Russia claimed on Thursday that at least 24 people were killed and 50 injured in a Ukrainian drone attack on a cafe and hotel in the Moscow-controlled part of the coastal Kherson region.

"Late tonight, the opponent carried out a deliberate drone strike on a place where civilians were celebrating the New Year," said Vladimir Saldo, the Russia-appointed head of the region.

"Three drones struck a cafe and hotel on the Black Sea coast in Chorly. Preliminary data indicate that more than 50 people were injured, and 24 people died. Figures are being verified," Saldo said on Telegram.

The official added that doctors are fighting to save the lives of the injured.

According to Saldo, the drone strike coincided almost exactly with the clock striking midnight, resulting in a fire that was subsequently extinguished, as reported by the local governor.

Saldo accused British intelligence services of being involved in the attack.

"I do not rule out that the terrorist act was carried out with the support of British intelligence services; otherwise, it is difficult to explain Kyiv's confidence in impunity when planning such a crime," he said.

Saldo announced that he declared Jan. 2-3 as days of mourning in Kherson due to the attack.

Moscow blames 'Western leaders who fund and arm' Ukraine

The Russian Foreign Ministry also strongly condemned the attack, adding that the Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case under legislation against terrorist acts.

"All the perpetrators of this monstrous, bloody crime will be identified and will be irrevocably punished," the ministry stressed.

It accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of "overwhelming cynicism and a complete loss of moral guidance," saying that the attack followed his "hypocritical arguments in his New Year's address about Kyiv's desire for peace."

According to the ministry, Russian air defense systems repel Ukrainian drone attacks daily, including on Moscow, which reportedly faced about 10 such strikes earlier that day.

The ministry said such strikes are meant "to distract from Ukrainian battlefield failures” and “constitute a futile demonstration of Kyiv's capability."

It asserted that responsibility for the attack "lies squarely on the Western leaders who continue to fund and arm" Ukraine.

"We call on responsible sovereign governments and relevant international organizations to publicly and unequivocally condemn this bloody terrorist attack in the Kherson region. Ignoring this tragedy amounts to complicity in the terrorist crimes," the statement emphasized.

Ukraine has yet to comment on Russia's claims. Independent verification is challenging due to the ongoing conflict.