Death toll from Ukrainian New Year’s drone strike on Russian village reaches 27

The number of people killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on a New Year’s Eve gathering in Russia’s Kherson Region has risen to 27, with at least 31 others injured, according to Russia’s Investigative Committee.

The strike took place shortly before midnight on December 31 in the coastal village of Khorly, where several drones hit a crowded café and nearby hotel, sparking a large fire.

Investigators say one of the drones carried an incendiary substance and that more than 100 civilians, including staff and guests, were inside the buildings at the time.

Two children were among those killed, while five other minors were wounded.

Drone fragments have been recovered at the scene, and authorities have ordered more than two dozen forensic examinations as part of a probe being conducted as a terrorist act.

Russian officials claim the timing of the strike was intended to cause maximum civilian casualties and have described it as a war crime.

Moscow has also accused Western governments and legacy media of remaining silent over the incident.