Russia has accused Ukraine of launching a large-scale drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s official residence in Valdai, Novgorod region, during the night of December 28–29. According to Russian officials, the assault involved 91 unmanned aerial vehicles, with no casualties or visible damage reported. The claim comes amid sensitive diplomatic negotiations between Kyiv and Washington to end the ongoing conflict.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the attack was a “reckless act” carried out as intensive peace talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States were underway. He warned that the Russian Armed Forces had already identified targets for retaliatory strikes and that Moscow’s negotiating position would be “reconsidered” in light of what he called “state terrorism” by Kyiv.
The drone strike was not mentioned in earlier regional reports from Novgorod officials, which confirmed drone activity in the area but did not identify the presidential residence as a target. No visual or independent evidence of the attempted attack has been released by Russian authorities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly denied any involvement, calling the accusations “another lie from the Russian Federation.” He suggested the claims were intended to undermine progress made during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida and to justify renewed Russian military strikes, particularly on Kyiv.
Following the reported incident, President Putin personally informed Trump in a phone call, warning that existing understandings around a negotiated settlement may be revised. Trump, according to Russian sources, was “shocked” by the report but later told reporters he acknowledged conflicting narratives around the event, saying the Russian president maintained it had taken place.
Despite the tensions, both sides indicated that diplomatic dialogue would continue, though Russia has signaled that its willingness to compromise may now be limited. The future of U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine and the status of contested regions like Donbas remain key issues in the broader peace framework under discussion.
