Moscow has claimed that at least 24 people, including a child, were killed in a Ukrainian drone strike on a New Year’s party in the Russian-controlled Kherson region. Moscow claimed on Thursday that the attack was carried out on a hotel and cafe in the Russian-controlled Kherson region of southern Ukraine, where civilians were celebrating the New Year.

Kherson’s Russian-speaking governor, Vladimir Saldo, first announced the attack in a statement. Later, the Russian Foreign Ministry and the country’s top politicians described it as a “terrorist attack.”

According to Saldo, Ukraine carried out three drone strikes during New Year’s celebrations in the coastal village of Khorly. The attack was “deliberately targeting civilians.” Many people were burned to death.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that initial information indicated that at least 24 people were killed and 50 people, including 6 children, were injured. The wounded are being treated in hospital.

The ministry said in a statement that “the drone strike targeted areas where civilians had gathered on New Year’s Eve. This is undoubtedly a war crime.”

Some images released after the incident showed bodies under a white sheet. It was also claimed that the building had suffered severe fire damage and blood stains on the ground. However, Reuters could not immediately verify the images and allegations.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military did not immediately comment on the matter. It has regularly complained that Russia itself is killing many civilians by attacking Ukrainian cities.

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of the Russian Security Council, said the attack would be “retaliated” on the battlefield.

Since the start of the offensive in Ukraine in 2022, Russia has passed laws to annex four regions of the country. Kherson is one of those four regions. Ukraine and the West claim that Russia’s occupation is illegal.