WHAT IS RUSSIA’S ACCUSATION?
On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov alleged that Ukraine attacked a presidential residence in the Novgorod region during the night with 91 long-range drones, declaring that Russia would retaliate.
He mentioned no injuries were reported and stated that while Moscow is not abandoning discussions aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine, its strategy was under reassessment following the incident, which he termed “state terrorism.”
Lavrov did not present any proof to support the claim and indicated that Russia had already pinpointed targets within Ukraine.
WHAT HAS UKRAINE SAID?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy dismissed the Russian assertions as “another round of lies” designed to rationalize further attacks on Ukraine and extend the ongoing conflict since President Vladimir Putin dispatched troops into Ukraine in February 2022.
“This so-called ‘strike on the residence’ narrative is utter fabrication meant to justify further assaults against Ukraine, including Kyiv, along with Russia’s refusal to take essential steps to conclude the war. Typical Russian deceit,” he stated.
Russia has frequently unleashed hundreds of drones as well as missiles in nearly daily strikes on Ukraine.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on global leaders on Monday to denounce Russia’s allegations and added on Tuesday: “Almost a full day has passed, and Russia has yet to furnish any credible evidence for its claims regarding Ukraine’s supposed ‘attack on Putin’s residence.’ And they won’t, since there’s none. No such attack took place.”
WHERE IS THE RESIDENCE?
The Valdai residence, also referred to as “Uzhin” or “Dolgiye Borody,” is a heavily secured complex situated on the banks of Lake Valdai, approximately 360 km (225 miles) north of Moscow.
WHERE WAS PUTIN AT THE TIME OF THE ATTACK?
It remains unclear where Putin was during the purported attack, though he conducted meetings on Saturday and Monday in the Kremlin. Putin has not yet publicly commented on the matter, and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Tuesday that, considering recent developments, such details should remain confidential.
Just prior to Lavrov’s statement, Putin convened a meeting in the Kremlin with Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Federal Security Service Director Alexander Bortnikov, and senior generals regarding the conflict in Ukraine. He made no mention of any drone attack on the residence.
WHAT DID TRUMP SAY?
Putin informed Trump of the alleged attack on Monday.
“I don’t like it. It’s not good,” Trump told the press.
“It’s one thing to be offensive,” Trump remarked. “It’s another to attack his house. This is not the right time to do any of that. And I learned about it from President Putin today. I was very angry about it.”
WHERE WERE THE DRONES?
Following Lavrov’s remarks, Russia’s defense ministry reported that 91 drones were intercepted en route to the presidential residence, including 49 shot down over the Bryansk region, located 450 km from Valdai, one over the Smolensk region, and 41 over the densely wooded Novgorod region.
The defense ministry had not indicated any attack on the residence in its earlier military action reports. Novgorod’s governor, Alexander Dronov, stated that air defense and fighter jets were engaged in neutralizing Ukrainian drones.
When asked if Russia possessed physical proof of the drone attack, Peskov replied on Tuesday that inquiries regarding wreckage fell under the purview of the defense ministry.
HAS RUSSIA ACCUSED UKRAINE OF SIMILAR ATTACKS BEFORE?
In 2023, Russia charged Ukraine with a drone assault on the Kremlin, alleging it was an attempt to assassinate Putin. Ukraine denied involvement in the event and accused Russia of fabricating a premise for escalating the conflict.
The New York Times subsequently reported that U.S. intelligence agencies believed Ukraine’s security services were implicated in the operation, although it remained unclear if Zelenskiy or his close advisors were aware of the initiative. Some officials theorized that Zelenskiy was not informed, according to the report.
WHAT WILL THE IMPACT BE?
On Monday, Russia announced it would retaliate and reassess its stance in peace negotiations, though it affirmed it would not withdraw from talks.
“The diplomatic outcome will lead to a firmer negotiating position for the Russian Federation,” Peskov stated on Tuesday. He did not specify what targets Russia might hit, but emphasized that the military was prepared to know when and how to respond.
