Ukraine and Russia: Drone Strikes and Peace Talks
In a recent turn of events, a Ukrainian drone strike reportedly killed 24 people and injured around 50 more in a Russian-occupied village in Ukraine's Kherson region. This incident occurred as people were celebrating the New Year in a cafe and hotel in the resort town of Khorly on the Black Sea coast. The attack was condemned by Russian officials, who claimed it strengthened their resolve to achieve their goals in the ongoing conflict.
Escalating Tensions and Unverified Claims
The strike came amidst heightened tensions between Ukraine and Russia, despite ongoing peace talks that have been described as productive. Ukrainian officials have not commented on the claim of the strike, and the attack could not be independently verified. Meanwhile, Russia has accused Ukraine of launching a long-range drone attack against one of President Vladimir Putin's official residences in northwestern Russia. Kyiv has denied these claims, calling them a "lie."
Russia's Allegations and Lack of Evidence
Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed that they had accessed the navigation system of one of the drones used in the attack and confirmed that Putin's residence was the final destination. However, the ministry did not share evidence to support this claim. Russia also released a video of a downed drone, but the video and its claims could not be independently verified.
Diplomatic Efforts and Peace Talks
In his New Year's address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a peace deal was "90% ready" but warned that the remaining 10% would determine the fate of peace, Ukraine, and Europe. Meanwhile, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said that he, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner had a "productive call" with the national security advisers of Britain, France, Germany, and Ukraine to discuss advancing the next steps in the European peace process.
Kyiv's Push for International Action
In the diplomatic sphere, Kyiv has continued to push the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to take action against Russia for alleged attacks on electricity infrastructure deemed "critical for nuclear safety and security" at Ukraine's nuclear power stations. The IAEA published a Note Verbale sent by Kyiv, stating that a Russian drone and missile attack on Dec. 23 had caused certain Ukrainian nuclear power plants to lose a "significant part of their off-site power connections."
Ongoing Attacks and Air Defense
Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russia attacked the Odesa region overnight, targeting civilian infrastructure in several waves of drone attacks. Regional head Oleh Kiper reported that a two-story residential building was damaged and that a drone hit an apartment on the 17th floor of a high-rise building without detonating. There were no casualties reported. Ukraine's air force said that air defense forces had downed or suppressed 176 of 205 drones targeting the country overnight, with hits by 24 strike drones recorded at 15 locations.
