Russia on Monday accused Ukraine of attacking the presidential residence, while Ukraine dismissed the claim as a fabrication on the same day.
Russia said Monday that Ukraine launched an overnight drone attack on the presidential residence located in the Novgorod region in the country's northwest. According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, 91 drones were used in the strike attempt, all of which were reportedly intercepted by Russian air defense forces. No casualties or damage were reported.
Lavrov emphasized that the attack was carried out amid intensive Russia-U.S. negotiations aimed at resolving the Ukraine crisis. He warned that such reckless actions would not go unanswered, confirming that the Russian Armed Forces had already identified the targets for retaliatory strikes and set the timing for their execution.
Lavrov also noted that Russia had no intention of withdrawing from the negotiation process with the United States, adding that adjustments to their negotiation stance would be made in light of Ukraine's actions.
On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on social media that Russia was once again using dangerous statements to undermine the diplomatic progress made between Ukraine and the United States. He said the claim about the alleged attack on the presidential residence was a complete fabrication, intended to create a pretext for further aggression against Ukraine.
He emphasized that Ukraine would not take any actions that could jeopardize diplomatic efforts and called on the international community to stop Russia from disrupting the peace process.
On the same day, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier, during which the alleged attack was mentioned. Trump expressed concern but noted uncertainty regarding the accuracy of the Russian account. He acknowledged that the situation, if confirmed, would be serious but maintained a cautious stance pending further information.
Trump said that his phone call with Putin was "productive," but he also acknowledged that achieving peace in Ukraine still faces "some very difficult challenges."
According to Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov, Trump briefed Putin during the call on his meeting with Zelensky the previous day, saying he had advised Ukraine not to seek a pause for frontline forces but to focus on reaching a comprehensive agreement to end the conflict. Putin, in turn, informed Trump about the attack on the presidential residence and warned that Ukraine's actions would receive "the strongest response." Trump reportedly said the incident would affect how the United States works with Zelensky going forward.
Russia, Ukraine trade blame over drone strike
