Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected claims by Russia that Ukrainian forces launched a drone strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence in Novgorod. The allegations, made by Russian officials, come amid ongoing peace negotiations and continued fighting in eastern and southern Ukraine.

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Russia Alleges Ukrainian Drone Attack on Novgorod

On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed that Ukrainian forces carried out a drone attack on Putin’s residence in northwestern Russia’s Novgorod region. According to Lavrov, 91 long-range strike drones were reportedly used in the attack, but Russian air defense systems intercepted the majority of them, preventing any injuries.

Kremlin foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov added that the alleged strike occurred shortly after peace talks held in Florida between US President Donald Trump and Zelenskyy.

“The attack took place practically immediately after the Florida talks, which may be more than coincidental,” Ushakov said.

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Ukraine Denies the Allegation

President Zelenskyy quickly dismissed Russia’s claims as “false” and accused Moscow of attempting to derail ongoing peace negotiations. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also condemned the allegations, describing them as an effort to create a pretext for further Russian attacks on Ukraine.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Sybiha said:

“The claim is intended to provide a false justification for Russia’s continued aggression and to undermine the peace process.”

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International Reactions

The alleged attack has drawn varied international responses:

• United States: Former President Donald Trump, involved in Florida peace talks, said Putin raised the allegation during a phone call. Trump expressed frustration but emphasized the need to verify evidence before drawing conclusions.
• United Arab Emirates: The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the alleged attack and expressed solidarity with Russia, describing it as a “deplorable” act.

Despite the claims, Zelenskyy and Ukraine’s leadership remain focused on advancing negotiations and maintaining support from European and Western allies.

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Peace Talks Under Pressure

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is approaching its fourth year, and peace negotiations remain delicate. Zelenskyy recently stated that a 20-point peace plan was “90 percent agreed” and that US-Ukraine security guarantees were fully settled. However, key disputes over the status of Russian-occupied territories in eastern Ukraine persist.

Zelenskyy has emphasized that decisions about territorial concessions should ultimately be determined by the Ukrainian people, potentially through referendums. He continues to coordinate with European allies, including Germany, Latvia, and Finland, to balance diplomatic efforts with the United States.

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Ongoing Fighting Across Ukraine

Despite diplomatic efforts, fighting continues across multiple fronts:

• Donetsk region: Russian forces claimed to capture the village of Dibrova.
• Zaporizhia region: At least one civilian was killed and another injured in Russian attacks on Orikhiv.
• Kharkiv region: Shelling has injured multiple civilians in Hroza, Zolochiv, and Novoplatonivka.

Ukraine’s General Staff reported 89 combat engagements along the front line, with concentrated Russian efforts in the Pokrovsk sector. Fighting is ongoing in six sectors, with both sides reinforcing positions across multiple regions, including Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, Kherson, and Dnipropetrovsk.

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Implications for Regional Stability

The Russian allegation of a Ukrainian drone attack on Putin’s residence adds new tensions to an already complex conflict. Analysts warn that such claims, whether true or not, can influence peace negotiations, military strategy, and international diplomacy. Ukraine continues to maintain that any such attack did not occur and calls on the international community to focus on resolving the conflict through negotiations.