Russian-installed authorities in Ukraine’s occupied Kherson region said on Thursday that a Ukrainian drone strike killed at least 24 people and injured more than 50 others during New Year celebrations, amid rising tensions despite ongoing peace efforts.

According to Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-appointed head of the region, three drones struck a café and hotel in the coastal resort town of Khorly on the Black Sea. He said one of the drones carried an incendiary substance, causing a fire. The claim could not be independently verified, and Ukrainian officials did not immediately comment.

Senior Russian officials condemned the alleged attack. Federation Council chair Valentina Matviyenko said the strike reinforced Moscow’s determination to pursue its objectives in the nearly four-year war.

The statement comes as Russia accused Ukraine of launching a separate drone attack targeting one of President Vladimir Putin’s official residences earlier this week, a claim Kyiv dismissed as false and aimed at disrupting peace talks.

Diplomatic efforts have intensified in recent weeks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a peace agreement was “90% ready,” though key issues such as territory remain unresolved. Meanwhile, US and European officials reported productive discussions on advancing the peace process.

Despite talks, drone and missile attacks have continued on both sides, underlining the fragile security situation.