Putin sends New Year greetings to President Murmu, PM Modi amid row over alleged attack on his residence

Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, December 30, conveyed New Year greetings to Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other global leaders, the Kremlin said.

“Vladimir Putin extended his greetings on Christmas and the upcoming New Year 2026 to heads of foreign states and governments", an official Kremlin statement said.

The greetings came amid heightened tensions following reports of an alleged attack targeting President Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod Region. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over the reports, even as Russia accused Ukraine of carrying out the attack, a claim that Kyiv has denied.

“Deeply concerned by reports of the targeting of the residence of the President of the Russian Federation. Ongoing diplomatic efforts offer the most viable path toward ending hostilities and achieving peace. We urge all concerned to remain focused on these efforts and to avoid any actions that could undermine them," Modi said in a post on X.

The Prime Minister’s comments followed a statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who said Ukraine had launched a drone attack on Putin’s residence overnight on December 29. According to Lavrov, Kyiv deployed 91 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), all of which were intercepted by Russian air defences.

Lavrov said no casualties or damage to property were reported.

Ukraine, however, has rejected Russia’s claims. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the allegations as “complete fabrication".

“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. This alleged “residence strike" story is a complete fabrication intended to justify additional attacks against Ukraine, including Kyiv, as well as Russia’s own refusal to take necessary steps to end the war. Typical Russian lies. Furthermore, the Russians have already targeted Kyiv in the past, including the Cabinet of Ministers building," Zelenskyy said in a post on X.

Zelenskyy added that the claims were aimed at weakening ongoing efforts to establish peace in the region.