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01.01.2026

The Khorly Missile Strike Day

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This page is an archive of main headlines from Russia for 01.01.2026.

It displays 137 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.

01.01.2026The Khorly Missile Strike Day
The first day of 2026 was defined by a shift from celebratory rhetoric to intense reports of mass civilian casualties. The morning began with state-aligned outlets reporting the interception of a large-scale drone swarm over Moscow and other regions during President Putin's brief New Year's address. By midday, editorial focus moved almost exclusively to a strike on a café and hotel in Khorly, Kherson region, with state media reporting 24 deaths and comparing the event to historical tragedies to emphasize a narrative of Ukrainian 'terrorism.'
In the afternoon, the Kremlin transitioned to a technical offensive, claiming that flight data from drones downed near the Valdai residence proved direct Ukrainian targeting of the President. In a strategic diplomatic move, Russian military officials reported handing this evidence and drone controllers to the US military attache. While state sources emphasized Western culpability for the Khorly strike, independent outlets highlighted US intelligence skepticism regarding the alleged Valdai attacks and noted public fatigue with the ongoing conflict.
01.01.2026
00:01
00:07

00:08 (21:08)A Midnight Vow for Victory

Russian media are saturating the news cycle with Vladimir Putin’s New Year’s address, emphasizing themes of victory and support for military personnel (RT, RIA Novosti, Meduza, The Moscow Times). State-aligned outlets simultaneously amplify international pressure on Kyiv and diplomatic coordination between Moscow and Minsk following the Valdai drone incident (Vesti, Interfax.ru, Lenta.ru, TASS). While official reports highlight defensive successes, critical outlets note the unprecedented brevity of the President's speech (The Moscow Times).
00:47

03:25 (00:25)Moscow Skies Under Midnight Watch

State-aligned outlets are framing the New Year transition through a lens of military vigilance, reporting the interception of multiple Ukrainian drones over Moscow during the presidential address (RT, TASS, RBC.ru). While official media focuses on technical defensive success and future social benefits (Komsomolskaya Pravda), independent sources highlight the brevity of Putin's speech and the persistent public desire for an end to the conflict (The Moscow Times).
08:32
RIA Novosti

В Херсонской области три БПЛА ударили по гостинице, более 20 человек погибли

08:32 (05:32 in your timezone)
08:38
RIA Novosti

В Херсонской области БПЛА ударили по кафе и гостинице, более 20 человек погибли

08:38 (05:38 in your timezone)

09:19 (06:19)New Year Bloodshed in Kherson

State-aligned media have shifted their focus to a mass-casualty event in Khorly, Kherson region, reporting that a Ukrainian strike on a cafe and hotel during New Year celebrations killed 24 civilians (TASS, RBC.ru, RIA Novosti, Vesti, Lenta.ru, Interfax.ru, Rossiyskaya Gazeta). Editorial framing emphasizes the civilian nature of the targets, with some outlets drawing historical parallels to the 2014 Odesa tragedy to heighten the sense of grievance (TASS).
10:15
RIA Novosti

При ударе БПЛА по гостинице в Херсонской области погибли более 20 человек

10:15 (07:15 in your timezone)
10:27

11:54 (08:54)Crimson Snow in Kherson

Russian media are saturating the news cycle with the missile strike on Khorly in the Kherson region. State-aligned outlets emphasize the civilian casualties, with officials explicitly blaming Kyiv's Western sponsors for the 'terrorist attack' and comparing the event to the 2014 Odesa fire (TASS, RIA Novosti, Vesti, Lenta.ru, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, NTV.ru, RBC.ru, Interfax.ru, Meduza). Meanwhile, independent sources highlight the brevity of Putin's New Year address and public fatigue regarding the conflict (The Moscow Times, Svoboda.org).
12:48
13:49

14:04 (11:04)Bloodied Snow in Khorly

Russian state media are intensifying focus on the Khorly strike in Kherson, reporting that the death toll has reached 24 civilians following a Ukrainian drone attack on a New Year’s gathering (RT, TASS, Vesti, Interfax.ru, NTV.ru, Lenta.ru, RIA Novosti, Rossiyskaya Gazeta). Editors emphasize the civilian context and have declared regional days of mourning. Meanwhile, independent outlets pivot to public sentiment and the brief nature of Putin's address (The Moscow Times, Svoboda.org), alongside reports of a fatal fire in Switzerland (Meduza, Kommersant).
15:14
RIA Novosti

Минобороны раскрыло детали атаки ВСУ на резиденцию Путина

15:14 (12:14 in your timezone)
15:28
RIA Novosti

Выплаты, пенсии, ЖКХ, ипотека. Что изменится с 1 января

15:28 (12:28 in your timezone)

16:27 (13:27)Data Flight from the Kremlin Spire

Russian editors are prioritizing technical evidence of the drone attack on the Kremlin, with state-aligned outlets reporting that flight data from the intercepted UAVs will be handed to the United States (Kommersant, Interfax.ru, RBC.ru). Simultaneously, state media continues to amplify the civilian toll from the Khorly strike (RT, TASS, Vesti, Rossiyskaya Gazeta), while independent sources focus on Ukrainian intelligence claims that the reported death of a Russian volunteer commander was a staged operation (Meduza, Lenta.ru, Svoboda.org).
17:34
18:01
18:07

19:45 (16:45)Flight Data Chains Kyiv to the Spire

Russian state media are prioritizing the presentation of technical evidence allegedly linking Kyiv to a drone strike on Putin's residence (RT, Vesti, The Moscow Times). Simultaneously, diplomatic and military rhetoric has intensified regarding a drone strike in Khorly, with officials framing it as a deliberate 'terrorist' act against civilians (TASS, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, NTV.ru, Interfax.ru). In contrast, independent outlets report on the survival of a Russian volunteer commander and skepticism from US intelligence (Meduza, The Moscow Times).
19:54
20:06
20:13
RIA Novosti

Россия передала США данные со сбитого БПЛА, атаковавшего резиденцию Путина

20:13 (17:13 in your timezone)
20:31
RIA Novosti

Выплаты, пенсии, ЖКХ, ипотека. Что изменится с 1 января

20:31 (17:31 in your timezone)
21:24

21:32 (18:32)Evidence Handed to the Americans

Russian state media are intensifying claims regarding the drone attack on Putin's residence, reporting that military officials have now delivered technical evidence and drone controllers to the US military attache to prove Ukrainian involvement (Interfax.ru, Lenta.ru, RBC.ru, Kommersant). Meanwhile, the Khorly strike continues to dominate headlines with reports of a child's death and official briefings to Putin (RT, TASS, Vesti, NTV.ru). Independent outlets highlight US skepticism regarding these claims (The Moscow Times).