Ukraine Denies Attack on Putin’s Residence Amid Ongoing Conflict

MOSCOW, Russia — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed Monday that Ukraine attempted to attack President Vladimir Putin‘s residence in northern Russia, a statement that Ukraine quickly dismissed as false.

Russia stated that the presidential residence in the Novgorod region was targeted overnight by 91 long-range drones, all of which were reportedly intercepted by Russian air defenses. Lavrov confirmed that no injuries or damages occurred during the incident.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy responded by labeling the claims as lies, suggesting that Moscow was using the accusations as a pretext to escalate violence against government buildings in Kyiv. He described the Russian statement as an effort to manipulate the narrative amidst ongoing negotiations regarding a possible peace deal.

Lavrov indicated that Russia’s negotiating position would be reassessed following the alleged attack, emphasizing that such actions would not go unanswered. He described the drone strike as a form of ‘state terrorism’ and mentioned that military targets for retaliation had been identified.

The incident raised questions about the security of the Dolgiye Borody residence, which has historical significance and has been used by leaders such as Josef Stalin and Boris Yeltsin. It remains unclear whether Putin was present at the time of the alleged attack.

Despite the heightened tensions, Putin ordered his military to continue operations for complete control of the southern regions in Ukraine. According to Russian reports, Moscow’s forces are reportedly 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from Ukraine’s largest city.