KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected Russia’s allegations that Ukraine launched a drone strike on one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences, accusing Moscow of attempting to derail ongoing peace negotiations.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that Kyiv deployed 91 long-range drones overnight targeting Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod region in northwestern Russia. According to Lavrov, all drones were intercepted and destroyed by Russian air defenses, and no casualties or damage were reported.
Lavrov added that the alleged attack would prompt Russia to reassess its position in peace talks, although he emphasized that Moscow did not intend to withdraw from negotiations with the United States.
Zelensky Calls Russian Claims “Typical Lies”
President Zelensky dismissed Moscow’s account as “typical Russian lies, designed to justify continued attacks on Ukraine. He stressed that Russia had previously targeted government buildings in Kyiv and warned the international community not to remain silent.
On X, Zelensky wrote:
“It is critical that the world doesn’t stay silent now. We cannot allow Russia to undermine the work on achieving a lasting peace.”
Context: US-Ukraine Peace Talks
The Russian claim comes shortly after peace discussions between Ukraine and the United States in Florida, where Zelensky and former President Donald Trump reportedly reviewed a revised plan to end the war.
According to Zelensky, the US has offered Ukraine 15-year security guarantees, with Trump stating that an agreement on this point was nearly complete. Zelensky indicated that unresolved issues include territorial disputes and the status of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, while progress on Donbas, a contested region Russia seeks to fully control, remains stalled.
Currently, Russia controls about 75% of Donetsk and nearly 99% of Luhansk, the two regions collectively known as Donbas. Moscow has reportedly rejected several key components of the proposed peace plan.
US Response
Following the US-Ukraine talks, the White House described a call between Trump and Putin as “positive.” However, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stated that Putin highlighted the alleged drone attack on his residence, which occurred shortly after the US considered the Florida talks a success.
Ushakov added that Trump was reportedly shocked and angered by the information, warning that it could influence US policy toward Zelensky.
During a later press conference, Trump appeared initially uncertain about the incident but later confirmed that Putin had informed him and expressed anger over the alleged attack. When asked whether the US had verified Russia’s claim, Trump responded:
“Well we’ll find out. You’re saying maybe the attack didn’t take place – that’s possible too, I guess. But President Putin told me this morning it did.”
Implications for Peace Negotiations
The alleged drone attack, whether accurate or not, risks complicating ongoing peace talks. Zelensky’s dismissal of the claims underscores Ukraine’s stance that Russia may be using the allegation to justify continued military aggression and to weaken momentum toward a diplomatic resolution.
With tensions high on the battlefield and diplomatic negotiations ongoing, both sides appear to be navigating a fragile path toward potential ceasefire agreements, while the international community watches closely for signs of progress.
Conclusion
The dispute over the alleged drone attack on President Putin’s residence highlights the ongoing tensions and mistrust between Ukraine and Russia, even amid attempts at diplomatic negotiations. While Moscow claims the strike occurred and frames it as justification to reconsider peace talks, President Zelensky categorically denies the allegations, calling them propaganda intended to derail progress.
