U.S. News
War Accusations Escalate Amid New Year Attacks
Clear Facts
- Both Russia and Ukraine accused each other of targeting civilians during New Year celebrations, with deadly attacks reported on both sides.
- Intensive negotiations were reportedly underway, overseen by U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at resolving the nearly four-year-old war.
- Dozens were killed or injured in attacks across Ukraine and Russian-controlled territories, with both sides disagreeing on responsibility for the civilian casualties.
Russia and Ukraine traded accusations after deadly strikes on New Year’s, impacting civilians and vital infrastructure in contested areas.
U.S.-led talks are ongoing, but each country accuses the other of trying to sway American policy and international opinion.
“On New Year, Russia deliberately brings war. Over 200 attack drones were launched onto Ukraine in the night,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram.
According to Russian authorities, Ukraine’s drone attack killed at least 24 civilians, including a child, at a hotel and cafe in the Russian-occupied Kherson region.
Ukraine maintains its attacks are focused on military and energy targets, avoiding mention of the specific hotel incident.
Zelensky urged that defense equipment from the United States arrive quickly to counter ongoing air assaults.
“(Our) allies have the names of equipment which we are lacking. We expect that everything agreed with the United States at the end of December for our defense will arrive on time,” he said.
Vladimir Saldo, installed by Russia as governor, reported that Ukrainian drones intentionally struck civilians celebrating in the village of Khorly, leading to casualties by fire.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry stated 24 people died and 50 were wounded in the strike.
It claimed Kyiv’s attacks were attempts to “divert attention from the failures of the Ukrainian military at the front. The Kyiv regime is trying to prove its viability through terrorist acts.”
Moscow accused Kyiv of attempting to strike President Vladimir Putin’s residence, a claim denied by Ukrainian and European officials, with U.S. security assessments reportedly supporting their stance.
Russian officials presented what they said was evidence of a Ukrainian drone targeting Putin’s residence.
The aftermath in Khorly showed destruction and injuries, with images circulating of a fire-damaged building and drone debris with Ukrainian writing, though independent verification was not possible.
Ukrainian authorities continue to report civilians killed by Russian strikes, including recent fatalities in Kherson city.
Oleksandr Prokudin, Ukrainian governor of Kherson, confirmed a man died and an 87-year-old woman was wounded in attacks on Thursday.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba reported that rail facilities were also targeted in three different regions.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its strikes aimed at military targets and energy infrastructure used for Ukrainian military operations.
Dmitry Medvedev called for those responsible for the hotel attack to be targeted in response.
Kherson remains a contested region after Russia claimed it in 2022, a move widely condemned by Ukraine and Western countries as illegitimate.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported Russian air defenses downed 35 Ukrainian drones within a day, causing no reported casualties.
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