Russia, Ukraine exchange accusations over alleged drone attack on Putin's residence

Russia and Ukraine exchanged sharp accusations over an alleged Ukrainian attack on the Russian presidential residence in the Novgorod Region, with the Russian side labeling it a "terrorist" act to sabotage talks and Ukraine dismissing it as a "fabrication" to justify new aggression.

Russia will toughen its position in the Ukraine negotiations following the alleged attack, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Tuesday.

Peskov said the Ukrainian attack was aimed at disrupting the negotiation process on ending the Ukrainian conflict, from which Russia is not withdrawing.

He added that while Russia would reassess its position, the specifics of this shift would not be publicly detailed, and that the military would decide the appropriate time and means for a response.

Earlier on Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a statement that Ukraine launched 91 long-range attack drones at a presidential estate in the Novgorod region late Sunday into early Monday.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko emphasized the severity of the alleged attack on Monday, calling it a dangerous attempt to destroy the negotiation process and obstruct the achievement of peace and promising a measured response.

Russian commentators suggested the alleged operation would have required significant preparation and possible external coordination. Military historian Yuri Knutov told the Rossiyskaya Gazeta that launching over 90 drones would require pre-programmed flight paths to evade air defenses, implying a level of sophistication that pointed toward European involvement.

Ukraine has categorically rejected all Russian claims. President Volodymyr Zelensky labeled the incident on Tuesday as Russian "fake news," crafted to derail peace talks and undermine Ukraine's diplomatic efforts with the U.S. administration.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reiterated the denial on social media on Tuesday, saying "Russia still hasn't provided any plausible evidence to its accusations of Ukraine's alleged 'attack on Putin's residence.' And they won't. Because there's none. No such attack happened." He accused the Russian side of spreading "false claims" for its own agenda.

Recently released footage has captured a tender moment between caretaker and panda cubs at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

In a video filmed at the base's Star Giant Panda Nursery House, a caretaker is seen carrying one cub under each arm and placing them on the grass, allowing them to bask briefly in the winter sunshine. The cubs were then seen crawling and playing on a wooden log.

The Chengdu base is a world-renowned center for the ex-situ conservation of giant pandas. It also serves as a hub for scientific research, public education and eco-tourism. The institution is internationally recognized for its efforts to protect and breed giant pandas, red pandas and other endangered wildlife species native to China.

The panda cubs were born at the breeding base in 2025.