Russia Claims Ukraine Drone Attack on Putin’s Residence, Shaking Peace Negotiations 2025

They've shaken hands, but the fists are still clenched. Russia accused Ukraine on Monday of attempting a drone strike on President Vladimir Putin's residence in northern Russia. This allegation comes at a critical juncture when Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy were reportedly nearing a peace deal, potentially stalling months of diplomatic progress.

Moscow Alleges 'State Terrorism' Involving 91 Drones

According to Reuters, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Ukraine targeted the Novgorod region residence between December 28-29 with 91 long-range drones. While Russia claims all aircraft were destroyed by air defenses without causing damage or injury, the Kremlin has used the incident to label Kyiv's actions as "state terrorism."

The Kremlin announced it is currently reviewing its stance in peace negotiations in response to the alleged provocation. However, no physical evidence has been provided to the international community to substantiate these claims, leading to skepticism regarding the timing of the announcement.

Zelenskyy’s Denial: A Pretext for Escalation?

President Zelenskyy dismissed the report as "another round of lies," suggesting that Russia is fabricating a narrative to justify upcoming strikes on government buildings in Kyiv. He argued that the Kremlin is desperate to sabotage the progress made during his recent meeting with Trump in Florida.

Trump’s Role and the Path to Peace

President Trump confirmed he spoke with Putin on Monday morning regarding the incident. While expressing anger over the alleged attack, Trump remained optimistic about a resolution. He mentioned that the parties were "95% ready" for an agreement, though "thorny" territorial issues like the Donbas and Zaporizhzhia regions remain unresolved.

On the ground, the conflict shows no signs of cooling. Putin has instructed his generals to push forward in Zaporizhzhia, where Russian forces are reportedly only 15 km from the regional capital. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy is seeking a 50-year security deal to ensure long-term stability—a demand that Russia has historically viewed with hostility.