Russia Claims Ukraine Targeted Putin's Residence; Kyiv Rejects Allegation as Fabrication

Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister

Moscow accused Ukraine on December 29, 2025, of launching a major drone assault on one of President Vladimir Putin's state residences in Russia's Novgorod region, prompting warnings of retaliation and a shift in Moscow's stance on ongoing peace negotiations.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Ukraine deployed 91 long-range drones overnight from December 28 to 29 against the heavily fortified Valdai residence—also known as Dolgiye Borody—near Lake Valdai. He asserted that Russian air defences intercepted and destroyed all the drones, with no damage or casualties reported. Lavrov described the incident as "state terrorism" and said it would force Russia to revise its negotiating position, adding that "such reckless actions will not go unanswered."

The claim emerged unusually from the Foreign Ministry rather than the Defence Ministry, which typically handles such reports. Russia's Defence Ministry separately announced intercepting 89 drones nationwide that night, including only 18 over Novgorod, creating discrepancies with Lavrov's figure. No independent evidence, such as photos, videos, or debris, has been released to substantiate the allegation.

Ukraine swiftly denied the accusation. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it "another lie" and a "complete fabrication," accusing Moscow of fabricating the story to sabotage diplomatic progress and justify strikes on Ukrainian government buildings in Kyiv. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasised that Ukraine targets only legitimate military objectives on Russian territory, labelling the Russian claims a "pretext and false justification for Russia’s further attacks against Ukraine."

The allegation surfaced hours after a phone call between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, Putin informed Trump of the purported attack, which occurred shortly after Trump's recent meeting with Zelenskyy in Florida. Ushakov said Trump was "shocked and outraged", reportedly responding, "Thank God we did not give Tomahawks to Ukraine." Trump later commented publicly that the reported incident was "not good" and that he was "very angry" about it, while acknowledging Ukraine's denial by saying the attack "may not have occurred".

The timing coincides with sensitive U.S.-brokered diplomacy to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine, now approaching its fourth year. Zelenskyy warned that the claim appeared designed to derail negotiations following his discussions with Trump, where progress on a potential peace framework was reported.

Independent verification remains absent, and many analysts view the Russian narrative as a possible pretext for escalation, especially after recent heavy Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities. The Valdai residence, a secure compound used by Putin and past Soviet leaders, is protected by reinforced air defences, including multiple Pantsir-S1 systems.

The unproven accusation has injected fresh tension into efforts to broker a ceasefire, highlighting the fragility of the current talks.