MOSCOW, (Reuters): Hopes for progress toward ending the war in Ukraine dimmed on Monday after Russia said that Kyiv attempted to strike President Vladimir Putin’s residence in northern Russia — a claim Ukraine firmly denied, calling it a provocation aimed at sabotaging peace efforts. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Ukraine launched 91 long-range drones between December 28 and 29, targeting Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region west of Moscow. He said all drones were intercepted by Russian air defences and caused no damage.
Lavrov described the incident as “state terrorism” and warned that Moscow had already identified targets for retaliation. He offered no evidence, and it remained unclear whether Putin was present at the time. Ukraine rejected the accusation outright. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia was fabricating the story to justify potential strikes on Kyiv and to undermine ongoing negotiations with the United States aimed at ending the conflict.“Another round of lies from the Russian Federation,” Zelenskiy said in a message shared via WhatsApp. “If there is no scandal between us and America, and we are making progress, for them it is a failure.” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged international leaders to condemn what he called Russia’s disinformation campaign.
The incident came amid high-level diplomatic engagement. On Sunday, US President Donald Trump met Zelenskiy in Florida, saying the two sides were “getting a lot closer, maybe very close” to a peace agreement, while acknowledging that significant territorial disputes remained unresolved. Speaking after a phone call with Putin, Trump expressed anger over the reported attack. “It’s one thing to be offensive. It’s another thing to attack his house. It’s not the right time to do any of that,” he said, while adding that the discussion with the Russian leader remained constructive and focused on resolving outstanding issues.
Key obstacles in the proposed 20-point peace framework include control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently held by Russian forces, and the future of the Donbas region. Russia occupies about one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. Kyiv insists any ceasefire must hold along existing frontlines.
Despite diplomatic efforts, Putin struck a defiant tone on Monday, ordering his military to intensify operations in Zaporizhzhia, around 75% of which is under Russian control. Colonel-General Mikhail Teplinsky, commander of Russia’s Dnieper grouping, said Russian forces were just 15 kilometres from the region’s largest city.“In the near future, it is necessary to continue the offensive, together with the East grouping, to liberate Zaporizhzhia,” Putin said.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, warning that such actions pose a serious risk to regional and global stability. “Such a heinous act constitutes a grave threat to peace, security and stability, particularly at a time when efforts aimed at peace are underway,” he said.
