Russia claims – Drone attack near President Putin’s house! Ukrainian President Zelensky flatly rejects the allegations

Moscow, 29 December. Tension has once again intensified during efforts mediated by US President Donald Trump to end the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Now Russia has alleged that Ukraine has tried to attack the residence of President Vladimir Putin. Whereas Ukraine has termed this claim as completely false and said that Russia is trying to weaken the peace talks.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said – shot down all drones

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday that Ukraine tried to attack the presidential residence in northern Russia’s Novgorod region with a long-range drone. According to Lavrov, long-range drones were fired at night, which were shot down by Russian air defense systems. He said that there were no casualties nor any damage in this incident.

Attempt to attack Putin’s residence

Lavrov warned that such actions would be responded to. He said that Russia’s armed forces have already determined the targets for retaliatory attacks. He termed it state-sponsored terrorism and said such reckless steps will not go unanswered.

The Russian Foreign Minister also said that the attack took place at a time when negotiations were going on regarding a possible Ukrainian peace deal. He made it clear that Russia will not step back from talks, but now the status of its talks will be reviewed.

Zelensky vehemently denies Russia’s allegations

On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected Russia’s allegations and said that this is a complete lie. Zelensky alleged that by making such statements, Russia is preparing the ground for attacks on government buildings in Kiev. He said that this claim of Russia is an attempt to weaken the peace talks.

It is also not clear whether President Putin was present at the residence named Dolgiye Borody i.e. Long Beards in Novgorod region at the time when the drone attack was claimed. The residence has previously been used by Joseph Stalin, Nikita Khrushchev, Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin.

Meanwhile, President Putin on Monday directed his army to intensify the campaign to gain complete control over the Zaporozhye region of southern Ukraine. A Russian commander has claimed that Russian forces are about 15 kilometers away from the largest city in the region.