Russian authorities said a Ukrainian drone strike on a café and hotel in the Russian-occupied village of Khorly in southern Ukraine killed 27 people and wounded dozens during New Year celebrations, according to The Associated Press.
Russia’s Investigative Committee said 31 people were hospitalized, including five minors, AP reported. Officials said the strike hit as civilians were gathered for the holiday, and they opened a criminal case.
Ukraine denied that its forces targeted civilians. A spokesperson for Ukraine’s General Staff said Ukrainian forces strike only military targets and facilities tied to Russia’s war effort, according to AP.
The episode added to a familiar problem in the war: competing claims with limited independent access. The Associated Press said it could not independently verify Russia’s account of what happened at the site.
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said it was alarmed by reports of civilian casualties and would verify the reported harm, according to UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.
Russia and Ukraine have traded allegations of attacks on civilians as diplomatic efforts continue to push for a negotiated end to the war, reported by Reuters.
