The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on January 1, 2026, strongly condemning Ukraine's use of drones to attack civilian targets in the Russian-controlled area of Kherson Oblast on New Year's Eve, causing heavy casualties, and believes that Western leaders providing support to Ukraine are also responsible for this incident. According to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and information released by an administrative official in the Russian-controlled region of Kherson, three Ukrainian military drones attacked a cafe and a hotel in the town of Horley on the Black Sea coast on New Year's Eve. One of the drones was carrying mixed combustion materials. At the time of the incident, local residents were celebrating the New Year there. The attack sparked fires, killing at least 24 people, including children, and injuring more than 50 others. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Russian Federal Investigation Commission is opening a criminal investigation into this incident in accordance with legal provisions relating to “terrorist acts.” All those involved in this crime will be convicted and will certainly be punished. According to reports, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff said on the same day that all air strikes carried out by the Ukrainian military were posted on the General Staff's social media website. The Ukrainian military complies with international humanitarian law, and that the air strikes only targeted “enemy military targets, Russian Federation's fuel and energy facilities,” and “other legal targets.”

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on January 1, 2026, strongly condemning Ukraine's use of drones to attack civilian targets in the Russian-controlled area of Kherson Oblast on New Year's Eve, causing heavy casualties, and believes that Western leaders providing support to Ukraine are also responsible for this incident. According to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and information released by an administrative official in the Russian-controlled region of Kherson, three Ukrainian military drones attacked a cafe and a hotel in the town of Horley on the Black Sea coast on New Year's Eve. One of the drones was carrying mixed combustion materials. At the time of the incident, local residents were celebrating the New Year there. The attack sparked fires, killing at least 24 people, including children, and injuring more than 50 others. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Russian Federal Investigation Commission is opening a criminal investigation into this incident in accordance with legal provisions relating to “terrorist acts.” All those involved in this crime will be convicted and will certainly be punished. According to reports, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff said on the same day that all air strikes carried out by the Ukrainian military were posted on the General Staff's social media website. The Ukrainian military complies with international humanitarian law, and that the air strikes only targeted “enemy military targets, Russian Federation's fuel and energy facilities,” and “other legal targets.”