❓WHAT HAPPENED: Russia accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence in Novgorod, a claim denied by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The alleged drone attack reportedly occurred overnight in Russia’s Novgorod region, with related statements released on Monday.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Given the final degeneration of the criminal Kiev regime, which has switched to a policy of state terrorism, Russia’s negotiating position will be revised.” – Sergei Lavrov.
🎯IMPACT: Russia has stated it will revise its peace negotiations position, while the alleged attack has drawn reactions from the U.S. and Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected Russia’s accusation that Ukraine carried out a large-scale drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region, calling the allegation “typical Russian lies.” Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that 91 long-range unmanned aerial vehicles were used in the alleged strike and that Russian air defense systems intercepted all incoming ordnance. Lavrov said there were no casualties or damage, but accused Kiev of engaging in “state terrorism” and announced that Moscow would revise its position in the ongoing peace negotiations.
“Given the final degeneration of the criminal Kiev regime, which has switched to a policy of state terrorism, Russia’s negotiating position will be revised,” Lavrov said. At the same time, he said Russia did not intend to withdraw from talks with the United States.
Zelensky dismissed the claims as fabricated and warned that Moscow was using them to justify continued aggression. “It is critical that the world doesn’t stay silent now. We cannot allow Russia to undermine the work on achieving a lasting peace,” he stated on X, formerly Twitter.
The accusations came shortly after Zelensky met with U.S. leaders in Florida, where he and President Donald J. Trump discussed a revised peace proposal. Zelensky said the United States had offered security guarantees for Ukraine lasting 15 years, while Trump described progress on the agreement as “close to 95 percent.” Outstanding issues reportedly include territorial disputes and the status of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
The White House confirmed that Trump and Putin held a phone call on Monday. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin expressed anger over the alleged drone attack and claimed that Trump was “shocked” and “angry” about the incident. Ushakov added that Putin promised the “strongest response” to what he described as a “reckless terrorist action.” The White House did not comment on those characterizations.
Drone warfare has become an increasingly prominent feature of the conflict. In May 2023, multiple drones struck parts of Moscow, with Ukrainian officials at the time declining to take responsibility. More recently, Russia has accused Ukraine of carrying out strikes beyond the battlefield, including attacks on energy and transport targets far from the front lines.
Ukraine has also reported facing drone threats of its own. In December, reports indicated that several drones were detected near the flight path of Zelensky’s aircraft while it was traveling near Ireland, prompting heightened security measures. Other incidents linked to drones have raised international concern, including damage to sensitive infrastructure sites.
Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.
.jpg){kind=link}
