President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has strongly denied Russia’s accusation that Ukraine was behind a reported drone attack targeting one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that 91 long-range drones were launched overnight Sunday at Putin’s state residence in the northwestern Novgorod region. Moscow said its air defense systems intercepted all the drones, with no casualties or damage reported. Putin’s whereabouts at the time remain unconfirmed.
Zelenskyy dismissed the allegation as “typical Russian lies,” warning it could serve as justification for Moscow to escalate attacks on Ukraine and adopt a harder stance in peace talks.
“Everyone must be vigilant now. Absolutely everyone. A strike may be launched on the capital,” Zelenskyy told reporters Monday, describing Russia’s statements as a “threat.”
He accused Russia of “looking for reasons” to prolong the conflict and viewing any ceasefire progress as a “failure.” In a post on X, Zelenskyy urged the international community not to stay silent, insisting Russia must not be allowed to undermine peace efforts.
Lavrov said Russia would adjust its negotiating position following what he called the “final degeneration” of Ukraine’s government, though he confirmed Moscow would not withdraw from talks with the United States, according to Russian news agency Tass.
On Tuesday, the Kremlin declined to provide evidence supporting its claim, with a spokesman saying Russia would now “toughen” its negotiating stance.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on other nations to dismiss Russia’s allegations as false.
“Almost a day has passed, and Russia still hasn’t provided any plausible evidence to its accusations of Ukraine’s alleged ‘attack on Putin’s residence’. And they won’t. Because there is none,” he wrote on X.
The accusation follows talks between the United States and Ukraine in Florida on Sunday, where President Donald Trump and Zelenskyy discussed a revised peace proposal.
Speaking to Fox News on Monday, Zelenskyy said there was a “possibility to finish this war” in 2026, but emphasized Ukraine’s need for continued US support.
He revealed the United States had offered Ukraine 15 years of security guarantees, with Trump indicating an agreement was “close to 95%” complete.
Zelenskyy identified territorial disputes and the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as key outstanding issues, while noting limited progress on the future of the Donbas region, largely under Russian control.
The White House reported Monday that Trump held a “positive call” with Putin after the US-Ukraine discussions.
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin mentioned the alleged drone attack during the call, claiming it happened shortly after what the US considered successful negotiations.
Ushakov said Trump was “shocked” and “angry” about the report, suggesting it might influence how the US engages with Zelenskyy.
Trump later told reporters he learned of the incident from Putin and was “very angry,” though he acknowledged the attack may not have actually occurred.
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