Russia’s Defence Ministry has denied reports that its forces carried out a missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, calling the allegations false, according to state news agency Sputnik. The ministry said no missile or air strikes were planned or conducted by Russian forces within Kharkiv on January 2.

In a statement, Moscow accused Kyiv of spreading the claims to divert global attention from what it described as a deadly Ukrainian drone attack on civilians in southern Ukraine.

Russia Rejects Kharkiv Strike Claims

“Information about the alleged strike on the city of Kharkov by the Russian Armed Forces on January 2 is untrue,” the Defence Ministry said. It added that Ukraine’s accusations were aimed at deflecting scrutiny from events in the Kherson region, where Russia claims civilians were targeted overnight into January 1.

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The Russian Foreign Ministry earlier said Ukrainian drones struck a café and a hotel in the settlement of Khorly during New Year celebrations, killing at least 24 people, including a child, and injuring more than 50 others. Moscow described the incident as a “terrorist act” carried out using unmanned aerial vehicles.

Zelenskyy Accuses Russia of Missile Attack

Ukraine has rejected Russia’s version of events. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that two Russian missiles hit Kharkiv, striking a residential area. In a post on X, he said one building was heavily damaged and rescue operations were underway. Zelenskyy added that casualty figures were still being assessed.

The sharply conflicting accounts highlight the ongoing information battle between Moscow and Kyiv as the war continues, with both sides trading accusations over attacks on civilian areas.