Russia has accused Ukraine of a deadly drone strike that reportedly hit a hotel and cafe in the southern Kherson region. The local governor, Vladimir Saldo, claims 27 people died and over 30 were injured in the strike in the village of Khorly, which sits along the Black Sea.
When asked for comments, Ukraine chose not to directly respond to these claims. However, they emphasized that their military actions follow international humanitarian law and target military objectives only. An anonymous source from Ukraine’s defense forces confirmed there was a strike, but said it targeted a military gathering, not civilians.
According to Saldo, the attack involved three drones and struck a cafe and hotel in Khorly. The BBC could not independently verify these claims or the casualty figures. Saldo stated he informed Russian President Vladimir Putin about the incident.
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine noted they were aware of the situation and will investigate the reported civilian harm. Images released by Russian state media showed a damaged room with a collapsed roof and what appeared to be a body covered with a sheet. The building in question, previously known as “Ukrainian House,” has since been renamed “Buganova’s Cafe.”
Russia’s Investigative Committee has launched an inquiry into the attack. The Russian foreign ministry accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of trying to intimidate areas identified as Russian territories after referendums regarded by Ukraine and its allies as illegitimate.
Moscow occupies a significant portion of the Kherson region, which it annexed in 2022. The allegations come amid ongoing diplomatic discussions aimed at ending the war, with Zelensky recently claiming a peace agreement with Russia, facilitated by the U.S., is “90% ready.”
Interestingly, earlier this week, Ukraine was accused by Russia of launching a drone strike on one of Putin’s residences, which Ukraine firmly denied. Ukraine’s foreign intelligence service has also warned that Russia may orchestrate provocations that could lead to human casualties, seemingly to disrupt peace negotiations.
This ongoing conflict reminds us of the complex dynamics of modern warfare, where information becomes as crucial as the battles themselves. As this situation evolves, many are left wondering what direction the negotiations will take, especially given the intricate layers of accusations, military actions, and the roles of international partners.
For more on the implications of these events, you might check out reports from the UN Human Rights Office or follow current developments in trusted sources like BBC News and Reuters.
