Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has claimed that President Vladimir Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod region was the target of a Ukrainian drone attack overnight into Monday, and said it would have implications for the peace negotiations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the claim as “typical Russian lies” made because Moscow does not want to end the war.
The allegation comes as U.S. President Donald Trump hailed progress toward peace following his latest talks with Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday.
“I don’t like it. It’s not good,” Trump said Monday of the alleged attack on Putin’s home, confirming the Russian leader informed him of it during their call earlier.
Securing a long-sought deal on Ukraine would be a crowning moment for Trump, the self-styled global peacemaker, who thinks Putin wants to end the war and has put pressure on Kyiv to make painful compromises because it is losing.
But Kyiv’s allies doubt Moscow’s true desire for peace and believe the Kremlin wants to delay or scupper the fragile process entirely so it can keep fighting and seize more Ukrainian territory, deceiving Trump about its intentions.
Lavrov Says Drones Targeting Putin Residence ‘Destroyed’
Lavrov told reporters in Moscow that Ukraine “carried out a terrorist attack using 91 long-range UAVs [uncrewed aerial vehicles] against the Russian president’s state residence in the Novgorod region,” the Interfax news agency reported, originally in Russian.
The minister said that “all UAVs were destroyed by air defense systems,” adding: “No information has been received about casualties or damage caused by UAV debris.”
Trump was optimistic about the prospects for a peace deal after Sunday’s talks, which Zelensky described as “90 percent” completed.
Lavrov connected the alleged attack on Putin’s residence to the peace talks.
“We draw attention to the fact that this action was carried out during a period of intensive negotiations between Russia and the United States on a settlement of the Ukrainian conflict,” Lavrov said, per Interfax.
“Such reckless actions will not go unanswered. The targets of retaliatory strikes and the timing of their execution by the Russian Armed Forces have been determined.
“At the same time, we do not intend to withdraw from the negotiation process with the United States.
“However, in view of the final transformation of the criminal Kyiv regime, which has shifted to a policy of state terrorism, Russia’s negotiating positions will be revised.”
Zelensky Calls Russia Strike Claim ‘Lies’
Zelensky said in a post on X that 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,” Zelensky continued.
“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. Typical Russian lies. Furthermore, the Russians have already targeted Kyiv in the past, including the Cabinet of Ministers building.
“Ukraine does not take steps that can undermine diplomacy. To the contrary, Russia always takes such steps. This is one of many differences between us.
“It is critical that the world doesn’t stay silent now. We cannot allow Russia to undermine the work on achieving a lasting peace.”
Donbas Unresolved in Peace Talks
Major issues remain unresolved in the peace talks, particularly over control of the Donbas region in the east of Ukraine, and it is unclear how the parties involved will find a way through to an agreement.
Russia is demanding that Ukraine hand over the remaining areas of the Donbas still under its control, or Moscow will take them by force.
Source : https://www.newsweek.com/russia-ukraine-strike-putin-residence-drones-11279920
