Russia claims Ukraine targeted Putin’s state residence with drones, Kyiv pushes back

Russian President Vladimir Putin - File Photo

Russia has accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack targeting President Vladimir Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod region, a claim that Kyiv has firmly denied.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Ukraine carried out the attack late on Monday, adding that Russian air defences intercepted and brought down 91 drones.

“Given the final transformation of the criminal Kyiv regime, which has shifted to a policy of state terrorism, Russia’s negotiating position will be revised,” Lavrov said.

Ukraine has rejected the accusation, calling it false and politically motivated. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia was spreading disinformation and was instead preparing its own attacks.

According to Reuters, Zelensky said Moscow was planning to target government buildings in Kyiv and dismissed the Russian claim as a lie.

He also urged the United States to respond to what he described as Russian threats and said the allegation was aimed at derailing diplomatic efforts.

Zelensky linked the timing of the accusation to recent talks, saying it was an attempt to undermine progress in peace discussions following his meeting with Donald Trump a day earlier.

"Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts with President Trump's team," Zelensky said on social media.

"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," he added.

The exchange comes amid heightened tensions between Moscow and Kyiv, with both sides trading accusations as fighting continues and diplomatic channels remain fragile.

Meanwhile, Trump said he had a "positive" call with Putin earlier today, a day after Trump met Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky in Florida.

"President Trump has concluded a positive call with President Putin concerning Ukraine," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X. Trump and Putin had also spoken ahead of Sunday's Zelensky talks.