The Russian Investigative Committee announced that it has charged in absentia the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov. He is suspected of involvement in the strike on a cafe and a hotel in the settlement of Khorly in the temporarily occupied part of Kherson Oblast.
This is reported by Kremlin-controlled media.
In addition to Budanov, the commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Robert Brovdi, and the commander of the 383rd Separate Brigade of Unmanned Aviation Complexes, Andriy Dzyany, are also suspected.
According to the occupation investigation, on the night of January 1, 2026 Ukrainian drones allegedly carried out a “targeted strike” on a cafe and a hotel in the village of Khorly on the left bank of Kherson region.
The Russian side claims that 29 people were killed as a result of the attack, and at least 60 more were injured.
The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation claims that the strike has been classified as a “terrorist act”, and all the mentioned Ukrainian servicemen have the status of defendants and are allegedly being prosecuted in absentia.