Russia Claims Ukrainian Drone Attack on Putin's Residence

The Russian Ministry of Defence has published a video it claims shows the remains of a Ukrainian drone that was shot down close to a residence of President Vladimir Putin in north-west Russia. This incident has heightened tensions as peace negotiations regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine continue. The footage, released on 31 December 2025, depicts a damaged drone lying in a snowy forested area. The Russian authorities stated that the drone was intercepted during what they termed a "mass launch" aimed at Putin's residence in the Novgorod region during the night of 28-29 December. Reports indicate that 91 drones were purportedly launched, with Russian air defences claiming to have intercepted all of them. The Ministry asserted that the drone was equipped with a six-kilogram explosive charge, but noted that the residence itself sustained no damage. According to Russian officials, the alleged drone attack was "targeted, carefully planned and carried out in stages". However, the Kremlin has not revealed Putin's location at the time of the incident, citing security considerations. His residences are generally undisclosed to the public, although prior investigations by opposition figures have suggested a heavily secured lakeside compound in the area. Ukraine has strongly denied any involvement in the alleged drone strike. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the claims as "a complete fabrication" intended to manipulate ongoing diplomatic negotiations. He stated that there was no credible evidence to support Moscow's narrative and accused Russia of preparing for further assaults on Ukrainian cities, including the capital, Kyiv. "Our negotiating team connected with the American team and clarified the details, and we understand that it’s fake," Zelenskyy remarked to journalists, urging international partners to conduct independent verification of the claims. Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, expressed disappointment at the Russian allegations, labelling them as unfounded and an attempt to undermine peace efforts. He pointed out that almost a full day had elapsed without Moscow providing any credible evidence to support its accusations. Notably, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that no further proof would be offered, arguing that it was unnecessary since all of the drones were allegedly destroyed. Amid these tensions, the allegations arise during a period of renewed diplomatic activity, following a meeting between Zelenskyy and United States President Donald Trump in Florida. Trump claimed that Putin personally informed him of the alleged drone attack and expressed criticism towards Kyiv, suggesting it was "not the right time" for such actions. When asked about the possibility of the incident being fabricated, Trump seemed uncertain, noting that Putin had asserted it had occurred. The reported drone attack comes as Trump has claimed that a peace deal is "95% done" and that Ukraine has acquiesced to most elements of a United States-drafted plan. However, Russia has indicated it may reconsider its negotiating stance, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stating that retaliatory targets within Ukraine have already been identified.