What is known about the suspected attack on Putin's residence?

2025-12-31 10:32:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine on Monday (29.12.) of attacking a presidential residence in the Novgorod region overnight with 91 long-range attack drones. He said no one was injured and announced a Russian response.

Moscow will not break off talks to end the war, Lavrov said, but added that its negotiating position would be "revised" after the attack, which he described as state terrorism. Lavrov did not provide evidence for the accusation, but threatened that Russia had already "identified targets in Ukraine."

How did Kiev react?

President Zelensky dismissed the Russian accusations as "a round of lies." He said Russia's goal was to justify further attacks on Ukraine and prolong the war that has been going on since the invasion in February 2022. "This story about the alleged 'assault on the residence' is a complete fabrication," he said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha called on world leaders to condemn Russia for its claims: "A day has passed and Russia has still not presented any credible evidence for its accusations. And it will not. Because there is none. No such attack has taken place."

Where is the residence located?

The Valdai Residence, also known as "Ushin" or "Dolgiye Borody", is a tightly guarded complex on the shores of Lake Valdai.

It is located approximately 360 kilometers north of the capital, Moscow. It is not clear where Vladimir Putin was at the time. Putin has not yet commented publicly on the situation.

How did Trump react?

Putin briefed the US president on the incident on Monday. "I don't like this. This is not good ," Donald Trump told reporters.

"It's one thing to offend. It's another to attack your own home. This is not the right time for something like this. And today I heard about this from President Putin. I was very angry about this."

Where should the drones have been?

Following Lavrov's statement, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that 91 drones had been shot down en route to the presidential residence. These included 49 over the Bryansk region, 450 kilometers from Valdai, one over the Smolensk region, and 41 over the forested Novgorod region.

In its previous reports on military operations, the ministry had not mentioned any attack on the residence. In 2023, Russia accused Ukraine of attacking the Kremlin with drones in an attempt to assassinate Putin, but Ukraine denied any involvement.

What is expected?

Initially, the suspension of talks on a possible peace was not up for discussion. " The diplomatic consequence will be a strengthening of the negotiating position of the Russian Federation ," said Kremlin spokesman Peskov. He did not specify which targets Russia might attack, but said the military knew when and how to react. /DW