At least 24 people were killed and more than 50 injured in a drone attack on a bar and a hotel in the Kherson region, Russian Governor Vladimir Saldo said. The Russian agency Tass writes it. «Last night, the enemy carried out a deliberate drone strike on a place where civilians were celebrating New Year’s Eve. Three drones attacked a bar and a hotel in the settlement of Khorly on the Black Sea coast. According to initial reports, over 50 people were injured and 24 were killed,” he wrote on Telegram. The governor stressed that the attack occurred around midnight.
A child among the victims
“The numbers – writes Vladimir Saldo, head of the Russian administration of Kherson on Telegram – are being clarified.” According to reports «many were burned alive. A child died. This crime, in essence, is comparable to that of the Odessa House of Trade Unions. One of the drones was carrying an incendiary mixture. Kiev militants used the same mixtures to burn our fields this summer. Now they deliberately burned people. This is what the ‘peace’ Zelenskyy claims he wants to achieve looks like. What is particularly cynical is that the attack occurred after the reconnaissance mission, almost at midnight. Due to the huge fire, no more people could be saved. The fire was only put out in the early hours of the morning. Doctors are now fighting to save the victims’ lives. The Kherson region mourns with the families of the victims. All necessary support will be provided.”
Russian drones over Lutsk and Odessa
The city of Lutsk in northwestern Ukraine was attacked by Russian drones and a fire broke out in the city. As Ukrinform reports, Mayor Ihor Polishchuk announced it on Telegram. “Here is a fire lit on New Year’s Eve in our hometown, Lutsk, instead of Christmas lights,” he wrote, attaching a photo. There is currently no news of victims or injuries.
Furthermore, during the night the Russians again attacked the energy infrastructure of the Odessa region, a fire broke out in one of the facilities and there were power outages. Ukrinform also reported this, quoting the head of the Odessa Ova Oleh Kiper on Telegram. Six people were injured in an attack in Odessa on the night of December 31st.
Ukraine attacks Putin’s refineries
During the night, explosions were also heard in Sumy and Kovel (Volhynia region). Furthermore, at 1.18 am, drones were detected in the Kiev region and air defense forces were active. No information on casualties or damage in these cities has yet been released.
On the night of January 1, several regions of the Russian Federation were also attacked by drones. The hits caused fires at refineries in the Kaluga region and Krasnodar Territory. Ukrainska Pravda writes it.
In Lyudinovo, Kaluga region, a local oil depot was hit. Russian authorities in the region have not yet commented on the extent of the destruction, but local media say the fire was preceded by a series of distinctive noises from drone engines and explosions.
In Krasnodar the Ilya oil refinery was repeatedly targeted by drones. The Russian capital has also fought against drones. The mayor of Moscow reported on the operation of the air defense throughout the night.