Russia has claimed that Ukraine attempted a large-scale assault on President Vladimir Putin’s official residence and has released video evidence of what is purported to be one of the intercepted drones.
According to Russian authorities, Ukraine aimed at Vladimir Putin’s state residence located in Russia’s northwestern Novgorod region during a recent offensive.
Moscow reported that Ukraine employed up to 91 long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), but stated that all these drones were successfully neutralized.
Major-General Alexander Romanenkov, a senior officer, indicated that the attack involved 91 drones launched from the Sumy and Chernihiv regions in a strategic operation.
He emphasized that the attempt was thwarted without any damage or injuries being reported.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also commented on the incident. On Telegram, he announced: “Given the final degeneration of the criminal Kyiv regime, which has switched to a policy of state terrorism, Russia’s negotiating position will be revised.”
Lavrov clarified that despite these accusations, Russia does not plan to entirely abandon negotiations with the United States.
Ukraine has denied these accusations firmly, arguing that Russia has not provided any proof to substantiate their claims. Kyiv contends that Russia fabricated this incident to delay discussions about ending the conflict in Ukraine.
A Reuters report highlights skepticism among officials in several Western nations regarding Russia’s version of events, questioning whether such an attack actually occurred.
Nevertheless, on Wednesday (December 31), Moscow unveiled video footage allegedly depicting a downed drone from this incident.
The video released by Moscow depicted Russian servicemen standing beside fragments of what was claimed to be a destroyed Ukraine Chaklun-V drone, which allegedly carried a 6-kg explosive device that had not detonated.
It remains unclear where Putin was during this reported incident, and Reuters could not verify the location or timing of the video footage presented by Russia.
On December 30, Donald Trump addressed reporters, mentioning that Putin personally informed him about the alleged assault.
While welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump remarked: “Yeah, I don’t, I don’t like it – it’s not good. I heard about it this morning. Do you know who told me about it? President Putin told me about it early in the morning – he said he was attacked.
“It’s no good, it’s no good. Don’t forget, you know, the Tomahawks? I stopped the Tomahawks. I didn’t want that, because we’re talking about, you know, it’s a delicate period of time. This is not the right time.
“It’s one thing to be offensive because they were offensive. It’s another thing to attack his house. It’s not the right time to do any of that and can’t do it – and I learned about it from President Putin today. I was very angry about it.”