Russia has accused Ukraine of attacking President Putin’s residence. Ukrainian leaders have dismissed the allegation as a lie aimed at justifying the continuation of the war in Ukraine. What is known so far?
What Is Russia Accusing Ukraine Of?
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Ukraine on Monday (29 December) of attacking a presidential residence in the Novgorod region overnight using 91 long-range attack drones. He said no one was injured and simultaneously announced a Russian counter-response. Moscow will not suspend talks aimed at ending the war, Lavrov said, but added that its negotiating position would be “reassessed” following the attack, which he described as state-sponsored terrorism. Lavrov did not present evidence to support the allegation but warned that Russia had already “identified targets in Ukraine.”
How Did Kyiv Respond?
President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the Russian accusations as “another round of lies.” He said Russia’s aim was to justify further attacks on Ukraine and to prolong the war that has continued since the invasion in February 2022. “This story about the supposed ‘attack on the residence’ is a complete fabrication,” he said. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged world leaders to condemn Russia for its claims: “A full day has passed and Russia still has not presented a single credible piece of evidence for its accusations. And it will not—because there is none. No such attack ever took place.”
Where Is the Residence Located?
The Valdai residence, also known as “Ushin” or “Dolgiye Borody,” is a heavily guarded complex on the shores of Lake Valdai. It is located approximately 360 kilometers north of the capital, Moscow. It remains unclear where Vladimir Putin was at the time in question. Putin has not publicly commented on the situation.
How Did Trump React?
Putin informed the U.S. president about the incident on Monday. “I don’t like this. This is not good,” Donald Trump told reporters. “It’s one thing to insult. It’s another thing to attack your home. This is not the right time for something like that. And today I heard about this from President Putin. I was very angry about it.”
Where Were the Drones Allegedly Shot Down?
Following Lavrov’s statement, Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported that 91 drones had been shot down while en route to the presidential residence. These included 49 over the Bryansk region, about 450 kilometers from Valdai; one over the Smolensk region; and 41 over the forested Novgorod region. In its previous reports on military operations, the ministry had not mentioned any attack on the residence. In 2023, Russia accused Ukraine of attacking the Kremlin with drones in an alleged attempt to assassinate Putin, a claim Ukraine denied.
What Is Expected Next?
At first, there was no discussion of suspending talks on a possible peace settlement. “The diplomatic consequence will be a strengthening of the Russian Federation’s negotiating position,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. He did not specify which targets Russia might strike, but stated that the military knew when and how to respond.
