Russia on Monday accused Ukraine of launching a large-scale drone attack on one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences in the Novgorod region, a claim Kyiv dismissed as “fabrication” intended to derail ongoing peace talks.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Ukraine had deployed 91 long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) overnight Sunday into Monday. He claimed all drones were intercepted and destroyed by Russian air defenses and that there were no casualties or damage. Lavrov described Ukraine’s actions as “state terrorism” and warned that Russia would reconsider its negotiating position in the US-led peace process.
Ukraine strongly denied the allegations. President Volodymyr Zelensky called the claim “typical Russian lies” designed to justify further attacks on Ukraine and undermine peace efforts with the United States. “It is critical that the world doesn’t stay silent now,” Zelensky said on X, urging continued international support for negotiations.
The accusation comes shortly after Zelensky met with US President Donald Trump in Florida to discuss a revised peace plan. Ukraine says it has agreed to 90% of the US-drafted proposal, including post-war security guarantees, though territorial disputes remain unresolved.
Zelensky Dismissed the Claim
Speaking to Fox News, Zelensky said that while there is a “possibility to finish this war” by 2026, Ukraine still relies on US support. He also expressed skepticism over Putin’s willingness to pursue peace.
The conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has left much of the eastern Donbas region contested. Russia controls roughly 75% of Donetsk and 99% of Luhansk, while Ukraine continues to resist Moscow’s advances.
As tensions rise, international attention is now focused on whether alleged attacks like the one on Putin’s residence will further complicate the fragile peace process.
