Russia Claims Ukraine Targeted Putin’s Residence With Drones, Kyiv Denies
Russian President Vladimir Putin amid Ukraine war tensions
Event Overview
Fresh tensions have surfaced in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war after Moscow claimed that Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state residence. According to a Reuters report citing Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Ukraine allegedly fired dozens of long-range drones at Putin’s residence located between Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
Lavrov described the incident as a “terrorist attack” and warned that Russia would now revise its negotiating position on ending the war in Ukraine. He further stated that Moscow had already identified targets in Ukraine for what he called “retaliation strikes,” signaling a possible escalation in hostilities.
Ukraine, however, has categorically rejected the accusation. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Russia’s claims as “lies,” accusing Moscow of fabricating the story to justify further attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv.
Key Moments
Speaking to the media, Lavrov claimed that Ukraine targeted the Russian president’s state residence in the Novgorod region on the nights of December 28 and 29. According to him, Ukraine allegedly launched 91 long-range drones during the operation, all of which were intercepted and destroyed by Russian air defence systems.
Lavrov said the alleged drone attack would have serious consequences for diplomatic efforts. He stated that Russia’s “negotiating position will be revised” following what he termed a direct attack on the country’s leadership infrastructure. He added that Moscow had already selected targets in Ukraine for retaliatory action.
Soon after the claim surfaced, President Zelenskyy responded sharply, rejecting Russia’s narrative and accusing the Kremlin of manipulating information. He said the story was being used to prepare the ground for renewed strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian government buildings.
Zelenskyy also warned the international community against staying silent, saying Russia was deliberately undermining diplomatic efforts while publicly claiming to seek peace.
Reactions
Ukraine’s leadership strongly pushed back against Moscow’s claims. Zelenskyy called the allegation a “complete fabrication” and said Russia had a history of using false narratives to justify military escalation. He pointed out that Russian forces had already targeted Kyiv in the past, including strikes on key government buildings such as the Cabinet of Ministers.
Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine does not take steps that could undermine diplomacy, adding that Russia repeatedly does so. He urged global leaders to recognise the pattern and prevent Moscow from derailing ongoing peace efforts.
On the Russian side, President Putin reinforced his military stance by claiming progress on the battlefield. According to AFP, Putin said Russia was advancing in its plans to “liberate” the Donbas, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, describing the campaign as proceeding in stages under what Moscow calls its “special military operation.”
Zelenskyy countered Putin’s remarks by highlighting contradictions in Russia’s messaging. He said that while Putin tells international leaders, including US President Donald Trump, that he wants to end the war, Russian actions on the ground suggest the opposite.
Impact
The conflicting claims highlight the fragile and volatile nature of the conflict, particularly at a time when diplomatic channels are still active. Lavrov’s warning about revising Russia’s negotiating position could complicate any potential peace talks, especially if Moscow uses the alleged drone attack as justification for intensified strikes.
The situation also underscores the role of information warfare in the conflict. Accusations and counter-accusations have become central to shaping international opinion, making verification and diplomatic mediation increasingly difficult.
Meanwhile, the United States continues to play a key role in diplomatic engagement. The White House confirmed that President Donald Trump recently held a conversation with Vladimir Putin regarding Ukraine. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the call as “positive,” though no further details were disclosed.
Zelenskyy, however, has questioned the sincerity of Russia’s peace messaging, pointing to ongoing missile strikes and public statements about expanding territorial control.
Conclusion
The latest exchange between Moscow and Kyiv reflects how quickly the situation can escalate, even as diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes. Russia’s claim of a drone attack on Putin’s residence and Ukraine’s outright denial have added a new layer of tension to an already complex conflict.
As both sides harden their positions, the international community faces renewed pressure to push for transparency, restraint and meaningful dialogue. Whether the latest accusations lead to further escalation or renewed diplomatic engagement remains uncertain.
Our Final Thoughts
The latest claims and counterclaims between Russia and Ukraine show how fragile the path to peace remains. Allegations involving a leader’s residence are serious and, if left unchecked, can quickly justify further escalation. What stands out is the growing gap between public rhetoric and battlefield realities. As global powers continue to engage diplomatically, clarity, verification and restraint will be critical to prevent misinformation from driving the next phase of the conflict.