Drone Strike in Ukraine’s Kherson Region Kills at Least 24 People, Injures Dozens

This image made from undated video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, shows a downed drone at an undisclosed location that it said was one of the Ukrainian drones involved in an alleged attack on a residence of President Vladimir Putin this week - a claim Kyiv has denied as a "lie". (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

At least 24 people were killed and more than 50 others injured when multiple drones struck civilian locations in the Kherson region of Ukraine late on New Year’s Eve, according to regional authorities. The incident occurred as residents were marking celebrations, and local officials say the attacks hit a café and a hotel in a coastal village, causing a large fire and extensive casualties.

The regional administrator overseeing the area said the strikes involved three unmanned aerial vehicles, one of which carried incendiary materials that sparked intense flames. Emergency responders worked through the early hours of the new year to control the blaze and treat the injured.

Authorities reported that among the victims were civilians, including children. Hospitals in the region have been treating dozens of people for serious injuries, while local emergency services continue to assess the situation as rescue operations proceed.

The Kherson region has been a focal point of fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russian-aligned groups since the full-scale invasion began more than three years ago. The area — now controlled by Russian-aligned authorities — remains volatile, and both sides have accused each other of escalating attacks with drones and other unmanned weapons.

Ukrainian officials have not yet issued a direct comment on the claims regarding this specific incident.

The strike adds to a growing list of drone-related incidents in the wider conflict, where unmanned aerial technology has increasingly been used by both sides to target military and infrastructure positions. In recent months, aerial attacks using drones have also targeted energy facilities, transport hubs and civilian areas, contributing to the instability and humanitarian strain across the region.

The latest attack comes at a time when international efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and peace agreement have been ongoing, but tensions remain high and hostilities continue unabated in many frontline areas.