Alleged Putin Residence Drone Attack: High Tension Following Trump-Zelenskyy Florida Talks (2025)

Is the window for peace slamming shut? While Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy were discussing peace in Florida, an alleged drone strike on Vladimir Putin's residence in northwestern Russia has thrown a wrench into diplomatic efforts.

Putin Residence Drone Attack: Allegations and Denials

According to Russian state media, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov stated that an attack occurred at the President's Novgorod residence on Sunday, "practically immediately after" the high-stakes meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed that 91 long-range drones were intercepted, resulting in no injuries.

However, Zelenskyy flatly denied the claim, accusing Moscow of staging a provocation to derail negotiations. Trump expressed anger over the report but noted that the U.S. would investigate the evidence. Meanwhile, the UAE issued a strong condemnation of the "deplorable attack," citing threats to regional stability.

Territorial Realities vs. Public Opinion

Amid the diplomatic sparring, the military situation remains grim. General Valery Gerasimov claimed Russian forces captured 6,460 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory in 2025. Lavrov reiterated that any peace deal must recognize the incorporation of Crimea and the four annexed regions—a condition that remains a non-starter for Kyiv.

• A 76% majority of Ukrainians find ceding territory to Russia "unacceptable," according to a DIF survey.
• Recent Russian strikes in Pokrovsk reportedly killed seven civilians hiding in a basement.