Tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated sharply on December 29–30 after Moscow accused Kyiv of attempting a drone strike on one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences, a claim that Ukraine swiftly dismissed as baseless. The accusations, made without any publicly provided evidence, have cast a shadow over ongoing peace negotiations, raising concerns about the fragile prospects for a resolution to the conflict that has gripped the region since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on December 29 that Ukraine had launched 91 long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeting Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod region in northwestern Russia over the weekend. Lavrov claimed that all drones had been intercepted and destroyed by Russian air defense systems and reported no casualties or damage. He described Kyiv’s alleged action as evidence of the “final degeneration of the criminal Kyiv regime,” asserting that Russia would now revise its negotiating position in peace talks.

Lavrov’s statement underscored a more combative Russian stance, suggesting that Moscow was prepared to “toughen” its approach in ongoing discussions. A Kremlin spokesman later confirmed that Russia would not provide evidence for the alleged attack, signaling that the claims may serve more as a political tool than a verified military report.

On the Ukrainian side, President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the allegations as a deliberate attempt to undermine peace efforts. In public comments and on social media platform X, Zelensky described Russia’s claims as “typical Russian lies” intended to justify continued attacks on Ukraine. He warned that Moscow’s narrative could foreshadow further strikes against Ukrainian targets, emphasizing that citizens and authorities should remain vigilant. “Everyone must be vigilant now. Absolutely everyone. A strike may be launched on the capital,” Zelensky said, labeling Russia’s statements........

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