Kyiv rejects Russia’s claim of Ukrainian attack on Putin residence, with Ukrainian officials strongly denying allegations of a large-scale drone strike in northwestern Russia’s Novgorod region.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov alleged that Ukrainian forces launched 91 long-range drones targeting a residence linked to President Vladimir Putin late on Sunday.
According to Moscow, Russian air defence systems intercepted the drones before they caused damage, and officials claimed no casualties resulted from the alleged incident.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy swiftly rejected the accusation, describing it as a deliberate attempt to derail diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine had no interest in provoking Russia at a sensitive moment when negotiations were showing signs of progress and international support remained crucial.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha echoed this position, calling the allegation “a dangerous fabrication” designed to justify future Russian military escalation.
In a statement posted on X, Sybiha warned the claim could be used as a false pretext for renewed attacks against Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure.
The Kremlin’s foreign policy aide, Yury Ushakov, claimed the alleged strike occurred shortly after talks between Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump in Florida.
Ushakov suggested the timing was suspicious, implying Kyiv was attempting to influence or undermine ongoing negotiations through military action.
Ukraine firmly rejected this narrative, insisting that Russia was manipulating events to shift blame and weaken international backing for Kyiv’s position.
Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Moscow would reassess its negotiating stance following the alleged attack.
Zakharova warned that Russia’s response “would not be diplomatic,” raising concerns among observers about potential escalation on the battlefield.
Trump later confirmed that Putin raised the allegation during a phone call between the two leaders, describing the claim as troubling.
“I don’t like it. It’s not good,” Trump said, adding that he had learned of the accusation directly from the Russian president.
When asked whether evidence supported the claim, Trump said investigations were ongoing and that conclusions had not yet been reached.
The United Arab Emirates issued a statement condemning what it described as an attempt to target Putin’s residence.
The UAE’s foreign ministry expressed solidarity with Russia and denounced what it called a “deplorable attack,” despite Ukraine’s denial.
The diplomatic fallout comes as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches its fourth year, with both sides under pressure to reach a settlement.
Zelenskyy recently stated that a proposed 20-point peace plan was “90 percent agreed,” signaling cautious optimism among Ukrainian officials.
He also confirmed that US-Ukraine security guarantees were “100 percent agreed,” highlighting Washington’s central role in negotiations.
However, major obstacles remain, particularly regarding territory in eastern Ukraine currently occupied by Russian forces.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly said any decisions about Ukraine’s borders must be made by the Ukrainian people.
He suggested that referendums could be held on specific aspects of a future peace agreement once conditions allow.
Following his meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy spoke with several European leaders to brief them on the state of negotiations.
He held calls with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
The Ukrainian leader emphasized the importance of maintaining unity among Western allies while balancing relations with the United States.
Despite diplomatic efforts, fighting continued across multiple fronts in Ukraine, underscoring the fragile nature of the peace process.
Russia’s defence ministry claimed its forces captured the village of Dibrova in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region.
In southeastern Ukraine, Russian air attacks reportedly killed one civilian and injured another in the city of Orikhiv.
Zaporizhia regional governor Ivan Fedorov said guided aerial bombs struck residential areas near the front line.
In northeastern Kharkiv region, Russian shelling injured three civilians over a 24-hour period, local officials reported.
Among the injured were elderly residents in rural villages, highlighting the ongoing toll on non-combatants.
Russia also claimed advances or improved positions across several regions, including Sumy, Kherson, and Dnipropetrovsk.
Ukraine’s General Staff reported 89 combat engagements along the front line in a single day.
The fiercest fighting was recorded in the Pokrovsk sector, where Russian forces concentrated their main efforts.
Military analysts say continued clashes risk undermining diplomatic momentum created by recent high-level talks.
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Kyiv insists that fabricated accusations only complicate negotiations and reduce trust between the parties.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused Russia of spreading disinformation to justify prolonged military operations.
Western governments are closely monitoring developments, concerned that allegations could derail progress toward a ceasefire.
As international mediators push for compromise, the situation remains volatile both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.
For now, Kyiv rejects Russia’s claim of Ukrainian attack on Putin residence, maintaining that peace efforts must not be sabotaged by unverified accusations.