The Russian-installed governor of Ukraine's southern Kherson region accused Ukraine on Thursday (January 1) of killing at least 24 people, including a child, in a drone strike on a hotel and cafe where New Year celebrations were being held.

The governor, Vladimir Saldo, made the allegation in a statement on the Telegram messaging service. A local pro-Russian news outlet published pictures of a badly damaged building, where it said the strike took place.

Reuters was not able to verify the location and the date when the photos were taken.

At least one dead body was visible beneath a white sheet. The building showed signs that a fierce fire had raged and there were what looked like blood stains on the ground.

Ukraine's military did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Reuters was not able to immediately verify the images or the allegation.

Saldo said in his post that three Ukrainian drones had struck the site of New Year celebrations in Khorly, a coastal village, in what he said was a "deliberate strike" against civilians. He said that many people had been burnt alive.

Russian state news agencies reported that at least 24 people had been killed and 29 more injured, citing the local branch of Russia's emergencies ministry.

Kherson is one of four regions in Ukraine which Russia claimed as its own in 2022, a move Kyiv and most Western countries condemned as an illegal land grab.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

1. (MUTE) (NIGHT SHOT) STILL PHOTO OF BUILDING ON FIRE

2. (MUTE) VARIOUS OF STILL PHOTOS OF DAMAGED BUILDING

3. (MUTE) STILL PHOTO OF BODY COVERED WITH BLANKET AMONG RUBBLE