Ukraine Rejects Claims of Drone Attack on Putin Residence, Warns of Russian Escalation
Ukraine has firmly denied allegations from Moscow that it launched a drone attack on one of President Vladimir Putin’s official residences, calling the claims false and warning that Russia may be using them as a pretext to intensify military action.
President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the accusations as “typical Russian lies,” saying they were intended to derail ongoing diplomatic efforts and justify further strikes against Ukraine. He cautioned that the allegations could signal an increased threat to Ukraine’s capital and other major cities.
“Everyone must be vigilant now,” Zelensky said while speaking to journalists. “Such statements should be seen as a threat. Russia is looking for excuses to continue the war.”
Russia’s Foreign Minister claimed that Ukraine launched 91 long-range unmanned aerial vehicles overnight toward a state residence linked to President Putin in the northwestern Novgorod region. According to Russian officials, all drones were intercepted by air defence systems, with no reported casualties or damage. Moscow did not disclose whether Putin was present at the location during the alleged incident.
Ukrainian officials strongly rejected the account, stating that no such operation took place. Ukraine’s foreign minister said Russia had failed to provide any evidence to support its claims and urged the international community not to react to what he described as fabricated accusations.
“Almost a full day has passed, and there is still no proof because there is none,” he said in a public statement. “This alleged attack never happened.”
The Kremlin has indicated it may toughen its position in peace negotiations, arguing that Ukraine has adopted what it called a policy of “state terrorism.” However, Russian officials also said they do not plan to withdraw from ongoing diplomatic discussions with the United States.
The dispute comes shortly after high-level talks between Ukrainian and US leadership, where a revised peace proposal was discussed. Following the meeting, Zelensky said there was a possibility of ending the war in 2026, but emphasized that Ukraine could not achieve victory without continued US support.
Zelensky also expressed skepticism about Russia’s intentions, stating that he does not believe President Putin genuinely seeks peace. He added that security guarantees proposed by the United States were close to being finalized, with territorial issues and the future of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remaining unresolved.
Russia currently controls significant portions of eastern Ukraine, including large areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, collectively known as Donbas. Progress on the future status of these territories remains limited, with Moscow rejecting several key elements of proposed peace frameworks.
Analysts warn that unverified accusations and rising rhetoric could further destabilize negotiations and prolong the conflict, as both sides remain deeply divided over security, territory, and long-term guarantees.
