Russia Accuses Ukraine of Attempted Drone Strike on Putin’s Residence; Kyiv Denies Claim

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday accused Ukraine of attempting to strike President Vladimir Putin’s state residence in Russia’s Novgorod region, warning that the alleged attack would affect Moscow’s approach to negotiations, Russian news agency Interfax reported.

Lavrov said Ukraine launched 91 long-range drones toward the presidential residence between December 28 and 29, describing the action as “reckless” and characterising it as an act of “state terrorism,” according to Reuters.

It was not immediately clear whether President Putin was present at the residence at the time of the alleged incident.

Lavrov said Russia’s armed forces had already identified targets for possible retaliatory strikes, adding that the alleged attack occurred at a time when discussions were underway on a potential Ukrainian peace initiative.

“Russia will continue to engage in negotiations, but our position will be reassessed,” Lavrov said, warning that the incident would not go unanswered.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy strongly denied the allegations, calling them “lies.” He said Russia was fabricating the claims to justify potential strikes on government buildings in Kyiv.

Neither side’s claims could be independently verified.