Ukraine: Kyiv Denies Kherson Attack, Blames Russia

Kyiv vehemently denies that Ukrainian forces were responsible for the attack in Kherson, which resulted in the deaths of 27 people. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian military stated that their forces exclusively target military objectives.

Furthermore, the Intelligence Service of Ukraine (FISU) warns of a potential provocation by the Kremlin during the Russian Orthodox Christmas. According to FISU, the Kremlin may be planning a "false flag" operation, aiming to accuse Ukrainian forces of mass civilian killings.

Ukrainian intelligence reports that the target of the provocation could be a place of worship or a target of symbolic significance in Russia or in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. To support its claims, the Kremlin is allegedly planning to transfer debris of Western-made drones from the front line.

The aim of the provocation is to derail peace talks, according to Ukrainian intelligence services.

Dmytro Likhovi, a spokesman for the General Staff of the Ukrainian military, said that Ukrainian forces respect the rules of international humanitarian law.