A new escalation in rhetoric between Russia and Ukraine emerged Monday when Moscow accused Kyiv of launching a massive drone strike against a presidential residence. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told media outlets that Ukrainian forces deployed 91 long-range unmanned aerial vehicles targeting President Putin’s estate in the Novgorod region during a 48-hour window at the end of December.
President Zelensky responded decisively to these allegations, branding them as outright lies intended to create a pretext for Russian military action. He argued that Moscow was systematically building a case for strikes against Ukrainian government infrastructure in Kyiv. Zelensky stressed that Ukraine’s actions consistently support diplomatic channels rather than undermining them, drawing a clear distinction between Ukrainian and Russian conduct in the ongoing conflict.
According to Lavrov’s account, Russian air defense systems successfully neutralized all incoming drones before they could inflict any damage on the presidential property. The Foreign Minister adopted harsh language, describing the alleged operation as an act of state terrorism that demanded a forceful response. He confirmed that Russian military planners had already drawn up lists of targets for potential retaliatory operations.
The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of fragile diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the protracted conflict. Zelensky expressed concern that Russia’s allegations were deliberately timed to sabotage collaborative peace efforts with international partners. He specifically mentioned ongoing work with President Trump’s team, suggesting that Moscow’s claims threatened to undo recent diplomatic progress.
Putin personally communicated with Trump following the alleged incident, with the Kremlin indicating that Russia would need to reconsider its approach to negotiations. The Russian president’s whereabouts during the supposed attack remain unconfirmed. Zelensky concluded by urging global leaders to speak out against what he characterized as Russian manipulation, emphasizing that silence would only enable Moscow to continue disrupting peace initiatives.