Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Ukraine tried to attack Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod region using 91 drones.
The attack, he said, took place overnight into December 29. All 91 drones were destroyed. There were no reports of casualties or damage, Lavrov added. He said that, in light of the attack, “Russia’s negotiating position will be reconsidered,” but Moscow “does not intend to withdraw from negotiations with the United States.”
Putin’s “Dolgiye Borody” residence is located on Lake Valdai in the Novgorod region.
There is no confirmation of the attack from other sources. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Lavrov’s claim about an attack on the residence a lie and linked it to what he said is Russia’s intent to strike Kyiv’s government quarter.
“The Russians don’t want to end this war. With their statement that some residence was attacked, they’re simply laying the groundwork to strike the capital and government buildings,” Zelensky told reporters via WhatsApp.
He tied Lavrov’s statement to talks held the day before with U.S. President Donald Trump. “It’s clear that for the Russians, if we don’t have a scandal with America — and we have progress — that’s a failure for them. Because they don’t want this war to end,” Zelensky added.
In the Ukrainian president’s view, statements like this are an attempt by Moscow to undermine progress made in peace talks between Kyiv and Washington.
He urged U.S. President Donald Trump to “respond appropriately to Russian threats.”
