Zelenskyy rejects Russia’s claim of Ukrainian drone attack on Putin’s residence
Moscow: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has strongly denied Russia’s allegation that Ukraine carried out a drone attack on the official residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling it a deliberate attempt by Moscow to derail ongoing peace efforts and justify continued military aggression.
Responding to the claim, Zelenskyy accused the Kremlin of spreading false narratives to distract the international community and intensify attacks on Ukraine. “This is another lie designed to sabotage peace initiatives. The world should not remain silent at this critical moment,” he said in a post on social media platform X.
Russia’s allegation:
According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Ukraine launched a massive overnight drone assault targeting Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region of northwestern Russia.
Lavrov claimed that as many as 91 long-range drones were used in the attack. He asserted that Russia’s air defence systems intercepted and destroyed all the drones, preventing any damage or casualties.
Following the incident, Lavrov warned that Russia may reconsider its position on peace negotiations, suggesting that such alleged attacks undermine trust and diplomatic engagement.
Ukraine’s response:
Zelenskyy categorically dismissed the allegations, stating that Russia was fabricating incidents to create pretexts for further strikes on Ukrainian territory. He alleged that Moscow has a pattern of manufacturing provocations whenever peace talks gain momentum. “Russia is trying to disrupt diplomacy through fear and misinformation,” he said.
Talks with Trump and peace plan:
The controversy comes shortly after Zelenskyy met former US President Donald Trump in Florida, where the two discussed pathways to end the prolonged war. Zelenskyy told international media that there was a possibility of ending the conflict by 2026, provided sustained international pressure and security guarantees for Ukraine.
Trump has reportedly indicated that the United States is prepared to offer Ukraine security assurances for up to 15 years. He claimed that nearly 95 percent of a broader agreement framework has been finalised, though significant hurdles remain.
Unresolved territorial disputes:
Key unresolved issues include Russia’s control over parts of eastern Ukraine, particularly the Donbas region, and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which remains under Russian occupation. These territorial and security concerns continue to pose major challenges to any comprehensive peace settlement.
Putin–Trump phone call:
In the aftermath of the alleged drone incident, Putin reportedly held a phone conversation with Trump. According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, Putin described the supposed attack as a “reckless act.”
Trump, while expressing concern, also voiced some scepticism. Speaking to reporters later, Trump said Putin had briefed him on the matter but added that the truth behind the incident would need verification, hinting that the attack may not have occurred at all.
Currently, Russia controls around 75 percent of Ukraine’s Donetsk region and nearly 99 percent of the Luhansk region, highlighting the complex and fragile nature of any peace process.
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