Ukraine, January 1:
A night of celebration turned into a scene of horror as three Ukrainian drones targeted a cafe and a hotel in the Kherson region on Wednesday night. According to local authorities, at least 24 people were killed and more than 50 others injured in the strike, which occurred as civilians were gathered to welcome the New Year.
“Burned Alive”: Incendiary Strike Triggers Massive Blaze
Vladimir Saldo, the head of the Kherson region, confirmed the casualties in a statement shared via Telegram. He described a harrowing scene, stating that one of the drones was reportedly equipped with an incendiary mixture, leading to a fire so intense that many victims were “burned alive.” n
A popular local cafe and a nearby hotel where holiday festivities were underway. Emergency services and firefighters rushed to the scene, but the scale of the inferno was so large that the blaze was not fully extinguished until early Thursday morning. 24 dead, with 50+ injured currently being treated in local hospitals.
Regional authorities have pledged full support to the victims and their families. “Doctors are currently fighting to save the lives of the wounded,” Saldo noted, emphasizing that all necessary medical and financial assistance will be provided to those affected by the tragedy.
The strike marks one of the deadliest single incidents in the region in recent months. While the Ukrainian military has frequently targeted logistics and infrastructure in occupied territories, this strike on a civilian gathering during a holiday has sparked fears of further escalation along the front lines.
