EU Diplomat Rejects Russia's Claims of Ukrainian Attack on Government Buildings

False Claims from the Kremlin

Kaja Kallas, a senior diplomat of the European Union, has dismissed accusations from the Kremlin that Ukraine targeted Russian government buildings, labeling these assertions as a "deliberate distraction" aimed at derailing the peace process. Her comments, posted on social media, appear to reference accusations that Ukraine attempted a drone attack on one of Vladimir Putin's residences.

"No one should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor who indiscriminately targeted infrastructure and civilians in Ukraine," Kallas wrote. Previously, Moscow accused Ukraine of attacking Putin's private residence at Lake Valdai, located in northwestern Russia. The Kremlin stated it would reassess its position in peace negotiations following these events.

Furthermore, some Russian media and politicians have increasingly discussed the alleged attack in an incendiary manner. Andrei Kartapolov, head of the defense committee in the Russian parliament, claimed: "The attack is a blow to the heart of Russia. After what [Ukraine] has done, there can be no forgiveness."

Despite initially claiming it saw no point in presenting evidence of the attack, the Russian military released a video and a map asserting that drones had been launched from the Sumy and Chernihiv regions. A soldier stated that the remnants of a downed drone were identified as a Ukrainian Chaklun drone, although BBC could not verify this information.

In the aftermath of these events, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vehemently denied the accusations, stating that they are linked to the U.S.-led mediation process for a truce in Ukraine. He also emphasized that claims regarding a drone attack on Putin's residence could be used as a pretext for launching attacks on Kyiv and Ukrainian government institutions.