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Russia’s Foreign Minister claimed that a Ukrainian drone attack targeted one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences this Monday, an allegation that was immediately rejected by Kiev.
Following the alleged attack in the Novgorod region, Sergei Lavrov stated that “Russia’s negotiating position will be reviewed” in the ongoing peace talks to end Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Lavrov said there was no damage or casualties from the incident, but that the Russian military had selected targets for “retaliatory strikes.”
Lavrov said Russian air defenses shot down 91 drones. He did not confirm that Putin was in Novgorod at the time. Lavrov also stated that Russia does not intend to withdraw from negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky immediately rejected the claim that it was a drone attack, calling it “a complete invention” by Russia.
Zelensky stressed that the allegation came a day after he met with US President Donald Trump for almost three hours in Florida.
Although the talks did not produce a major breakthrough, the two leaders agreed in the latest version of the peace plan that the US would guarantee Ukrainian security for 15 years, with the option of extending those guarantees, Zelensky said on Monday.
“Russia is doing it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all the achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts with President Trump’s team. We continue to work together to bring peace,” said Zelensky on X.
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…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Volodymyr Zelensky (@ZelenskyyUa)
However, the White House announced Monday morning that Trump had a “positive phone call” with Putin about Ukraine, but did not provide a transcript of the call.
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