 "Attack on Putin’s residence: Kremlin not ready to offer proof, cornered Ukraine denies charge")
The Kremlin on Tuesday said it would not provide evidence to back its claim of a Ukrainian drone attack on one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences. Officials argued that all the drones were intercepted and that investigations of this kind are typically handled by the military.
“I don’t think there should be any evidence if such a massive drone attack is being carried out, which, thanks to the well-coordinated work of the air defence system, was shot down,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists during a call.
He also added that Russia would “toughen” its position in peace negotiations following the alleged incident—a claim that Kyiv has firmly denied.
Russia accuses Ukraine
The allegations came just a day after US‑Ukraine talks in Florida. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that Ukraine had launched 91 long-range drones overnight, targeting Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod region of northwestern Russia.
Following the alleged attack, Moscow said it would reconsider its position in ongoing peace talks. At the same time, Putin’s exact whereabouts during the incident remain unclear.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy categorically denied the accusation, describing it as a “fabrication” aimed at sabotaging the peace process. Zelenskyy dismissed the claim as “typical Russian lies,” arguing that it was intended to justify further attacks on Ukraine. He also highlighted that Russia itself has repeatedly targeted government buildings in Kyiv.
Adding to the diplomatic tensions, Ukraine expressed “disappointment and concern” over statements by India, Pakistan, and the UAE that voiced worries about the alleged attack. The Ukrainian foreign ministry emphasised that “no such attack happened.”
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View AllTaking to X, Zelenskyy urged the international community not to be misled by Moscow.
“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 wrote.
Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts with President Trump's team. We keep working together to bring peace closer.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 29, 2025
This alleged "residence strike" story is a complete fabrication intended to justify…
How the rest of the world reacted
The reports have drawn attention worldwide. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern over reports of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting a Russian residence, calling the developments troubling amid ongoing tensions in the Ukraine conflict.
Meanwhile, the White House said Trump had a “positive call” with Putin. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov noted that Putin informed Trump the alleged attack occurred almost immediately after what the US considered a successful round of talks.
“The US president was shocked by this information, he was angry and said he couldn’t believe such mad actions,” Ushakov said. Trump later told reporters he had been informed by Putin and was “very angry,” while also acknowledging uncertainty over whether the attack truly occurred: “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,” he said.
Zelenskyy sees a narrow window for peace
The timing of the allegations comes amid delicate discussions between the US and Ukraine. Following the Florida talks, Zelenskyy told Fox News there was a “possibility to finish this war” in 2026, but stressed that sustained US support is crucial.
“My feelings of President Trump’s sanctions and economical steps, shows that he’s ready for very strong steps,” Zelenskyy said. “In this situation, the United States can move the situation to peace quicker.”
He was equally candid about Russia’s intentions: “I don’t trust Putin and he doesn’t want success for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy added.
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