Ukraine Denies Drone Attack on Putin's Residence

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Rejects Russia's Accusations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Russia's accusations that Ukraine launched a drone attack on one of President Vladimir Putin's residences, accusing Moscow of attempting to sabotage peace negotiations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that Kiev conducted a nighttime attack with 91 long-range drones against Putin's state residence located in the Novgorod region of Russia. Russia stated it will reassess its position in peace negotiations.

It is unclear where Putin was at the time of the alleged attack. Zelensky labeled the claim as "typical Russian lies," noting that it serves as an excuse for the Kremlin to continue its attacks on Ukraine. He emphasized that Russia had previously targeted government buildings in Kiev, asserting it is crucial for the world not to remain silent now. "We cannot allow Russia to undermine efforts to achieve a lasting peace," he added.

In a statement posted on Telegram, Lavrov asserted that all 91 drones mentioned were intercepted and destroyed by Russian air defense systems. He stated there were no reports of casualties or damages resulting from the attack. "Given the final degeneration of the criminal regime in Kiev, which has resorted to a policy of state terrorism, Russia's negotiating position will be reassessed," he declared, while adding that Russia does not intend to withdraw from negotiations with the United States.

This assertion from Moscow follows discussions between the U.S. and Ukraine in Florida, where Presidents Trump and Zelensky discussed a revised peace plan to end the war. Zelensky noted that the U.S. had provided Ukraine with security guarantees for 15 years, and Trump stated that an agreement on this issue is "almost 95% finalized." The Ukrainian president described territorial issues and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently occupied by Russians, as the last unresolved matters, and signs of progress regarding the contested Donbas region are minimal.

Currently, Russia controls approximately 75% of the Donetsk region and 99% of Luhansk, areas collectively referred to as Donbas. Russia has previously dismissed essential parts of the plan under discussion. The White House stated that President Trump had a "positive conversation" with Putin following negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine. Yuri Ushakov, a foreign policy adviser to the Kremlin, told reporters that during the conversation, Putin emphasized that the alleged attack on his residence occurred "almost immediately after the U.S. considered that a successful round of discussions had taken place." Ushakov added that this "reckless terrorist action" would receive "the strongest response."