Zelenskyy Rejects Russia's Claims of Attack on Putin's Residence

Ukraine's Response to Russia's Allegations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed claims from Russia that his country carried out an attack on the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Monday that the attack allegedly took place on Putin's residence in the Novgorod region, involving 91 attack drones.

Lavrov added that air defense systems intercepted the airstrike, noting that no one was injured. Yury Ushakov, a foreign policy advisor to the Kremlin, claimed the attack occurred on Sunday, "practically immediately after" discussions in Florida between U.S. President Donald Trump and Zelenskyy regarding negotiations to end Russia's war against Ukraine.

Zelenskyy quickly rejected Moscow's assertion, accusing Russia of attempting to undermine peace negotiations. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also condemned Moscow's accusation, stating that it aims to sabotage discussions. In a post on X, Sybiha said the claim was intended "to create a pretext and a false justification for future Russian attacks against Ukraine, as well as to undermine and complicate the peace process."

Russia announced it would reevaluate its negotiation position following the alleged attack, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warning that Moscow's response "will not be diplomatic." On the same day, Trump stated that Putin informed him during a phone call that Ukraine had attempted to attack the Russian president's residence. Speaking to reporters, Trump said he learned about this accusation from Putin and was very upset.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy expressed optimism that a peace agreement might be close, noting that a 20-point peace plan was "almost 90% agreed." However, significant obstacles remain regarding the future of territories in eastern Ukraine occupied by Russia.

Violence continues on the front lines, with the Russian army announcing the capture of the village of Dibrova in the Donetsk region. In the Zaporizhia region, at least one person was killed and another injured following a Russian attack on the city of Orikhiv. Officers in Kharkiv reported that Russian shelling injured three people in the last 24 hours.