Russia Alleges Ukrainian Drone Attempt on Putin’s Residence, Zelenskyy Dismisses Claims as False

Russia on Monday accused Ukraine of attempting to carry out a drone strike targeting President Vladimir Putin’s residence in northern Russia. The allegation was strongly rejected by Kyiv, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calling it a fabrication aimed at sabotaging peace efforts and justifying further Russian military action.

According to a report by news agency Reuters, Russian officials claimed that Ukraine launched a nighttime drone attack on a presidential residence located in the Novgorod region. The property, known as Dolgiye Borody or “Long Beards,” has historically been used by several Russian and Soviet leaders.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov alleged that Ukrainian drones targeted the residence overnight. He stated that Russian air defense systems successfully detected and destroyed 91 long-range drones before they could cause any harm.

Lavrov emphasized that there were no fatalities or material losses as a result of the alleged attack. However, he described the incident as an act of “state terrorism” and warned that Russia would respond decisively.

“Such reckless actions will not go unanswered,” Lavrov was quoted as saying by Reuters, adding that Russian military forces had already identified targets for potential counterstrikes.

The Russian foreign minister also noted that the incident could force Moscow to reassess its position in ongoing negotiations, although he maintained that Russia would continue to engage in talks regarding a possible peace settlement with Ukraine.

Russian authorities did not clarify whether President Vladimir Putin was present at the Dolgiye Borody residence at the time of the alleged drone attack. The site has previously been used by leaders such as Boris Yeltsin, Nikita Khrushchev, Josef Stalin, and Putin himself.

Ukraine Rejects Allegations, Zelenskyy Calls It “Another Round of Lies”

Ukraine categorically denied Russia’s accusations. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the claims as “another round of lies,” asserting that Moscow was deliberately attempting to derail diplomatic initiatives and create a pretext for intensified attacks on Ukrainian targets.

Zelenskyy accused Russia of laying the groundwork to strike Ukrainian government buildings while escalating rhetoric during a sensitive phase of diplomatic discussions.

Speaking to reporters via WhatsApp, the Ukrainian president said the allegation was designed to obstruct progress in peace negotiations involving the United States and Ukraine. He urged US President Donald Trump to respond to what he described as mounting threats from Moscow.

Despite diplomatic exchanges, fighting on the ground continued. On Monday, President Putin ordered Russian forces to intensify operations aimed at securing full control of Ukraine’s southern Zaporizhzhia region.

According to a Russian military official, Moscow’s forces are now approximately 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from Zaporizhzhia city, the regional capital and a strategically significant urban center.

White House Confirms Trump–Putin Call

Amid the heightened tensions, the White House confirmed that US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt described the call as “positive” but did not provide further details about the substance of the conversation.

The exchange of accusations and denials underscores the deep mistrust between Moscow and Kyiv, even as diplomatic channels remain open. Both sides continue to accuse each other of escalation, deception, and bad faith.

With military operations ongoing and sharply contrasting narratives surrounding recent events, prospects for de-escalation remain uncertain.

Kremlin Signals Review of Peace Negotiation Stance

The Kremlin later stated that President Putin informed President Trump that Russia would reevaluate its approach to peace negotiations following the alleged Ukrainian drone attempt on a Russian presidential residence.

Yuri Ushakov, a senior foreign policy adviser to the Kremlin, said the two leaders spoke by phone on Monday. During the call, Trump and his advisers reportedly briefed Putin on Washington’s discussions with Kyiv.

“According to the Americans, during these negotiations the US side firmly insisted on the need for Kyiv to take concrete steps toward a final settlement of the conflict, rather than relying solely on demands for a temporary ceasefire,” Ushakov told reporters during a conference call.

The latest developments highlight the fragile state of diplomatic efforts, as military actions and political rhetoric continue to shape the trajectory of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.