Lavrov claims massive Ukrainian drone strike targeted Putin’s residence

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that the Ukrainian military launched a massive drone strike attempt on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence in the Novgorod Oblast on the night of December 29.

Lavrov stated that 91 UAVs were used in the attack.

According to the TASS news agency, Lavrov said, “All Ukrainian drones were destroyed by the air defense systems of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. No information has been received regarding injuries or damage resulting from falling UAV debris.”

The Foreign Minister added that following this incident, Russia’s negotiating position would be reassessed; however, Moscow does not plan to withdraw from negotiations with the US regarding a peaceful settlement in Ukraine.

Lavrov also warned Kyiv that such actions would not go unanswered, stating that targets and timing for retaliatory strikes have been determined.

Zelensky: Fake news

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a statement on his Telegram channel, described the information regarding the Ukrainian military’s attempt to attack Putin’s residence as “fake news.”

Zelensky stated that Russia is using this to lay the groundwork for attacks on government buildings in Kyiv, aiming to undermine progress in peace negotiations between Ukraine and the US and attempting to justify its refusal to end the war.

Sergey Lavrov’s statement came shortly after a meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump. Following these talks, Trump reported that they had reached an agreement with the Ukrainian leader on approximately 95 % of the peace plan.

Trump noted that the fundamental unresolved issue is the Donbass and that Russia demands the withdrawal of the Ukrainian military from the region.

Trump further expressed confidence that Vladimir Putin is interested in ending the war and is ready to assist in the reconstruction of Ukraine, adding that he “understands” Putin’s position of not accepting a temporary ceasefire.

Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the final 20-point plan must be approved through a nationwide referendum.

According to the Ukrainian President, a ceasefire of at least 60 days and the establishment of a reliable security system are required to prepare the plan, but Russia is not amenable to this.

Zelensky emphasized that if the agreement fails, the US is prepared to provide further support to Ukraine, and that it is impossible for the war to end without the US and EU providing security guarantees to Kyiv.

Following these statements, Vladimir Putin, during a meeting with military officials, gave instructions to continue the offensive toward Zaporizhzhia and to establish a “buffer zone” in the border oblasts of Sumy and Kharkiv.

Putin informed Trump

Meanwhile, Aide to the Russian President Yuri Ushakov told reporters that the Russian and US presidents held a scheduled telephone conversation on Monday.

Ushakov stated that Donald Trump and his advisors informed Putin in detail about the main results of the negotiations with the Ukrainian delegation and the US recommendations for taking realistic steps to resolve the conflict.

According to Ushakov, Putin responded by informing Trump that Kyiv had attempted an attack on his residence on Monday night and that this would force Russia to reassess its negotiating position.

Ushakov said, “Vladimir Putin emphasized that the Russian side intends to continue working closely and fruitfully with its American partners to find ways to achieve peace. However, naturally, Russia’s position regarding a number of agreements reached at the previous stage and emerging solutions will be reviewed. This was expressed very clearly, and the Americans should understand this. Given the state terrorism carried out by Kyiv, the Russian side cannot act otherwise.”

Trump: I don’t know the details

US President Donald Trump stated that he did not have details regarding the incident involving the attack on Vladimir Putin’s residence. Speaking to reporters after his phone call with Putin, Trump said, “I don’t know anything about it. I just heard it, but I don’t know the details. That would be very bad.”

The US President later stated that Putin himself told him about the incident. “He said he was attacked. That’s bad. Remember that I stopped [the supply of] Tomahawks to Ukraine,” he said, adding that “now is not the time for such actions.”

Earlier, Ushakov reported that during the phone call, Putin warned Donald Trump that Russia would review its position on Ukraine following the attempted attack on his residence in the Novgorod Oblast.

According to Ushakov, Trump was “shocked and angered” by the situation and said, “Thank God we didn’t give Zelensky Tomahawk missiles.”