Ukraine Refutes Involvement in Drone Attack on Putin’s Residence

In a recent development, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has firmly rejected allegations that Ukraine was behind a drone attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence. The claims were made by Russian officials following an incident involving 91 claimed drone strikes aimed at Putin’s estate in the Novgorod region.

Ukraine’s Denial of Drone Attack Claims

Zelensky described the accusations from Moscow as “typical Russian lies,” suggesting that they aim to derail ongoing peace negotiations. He emphasized the importance of international awareness, stating that silence from the global community would allow Russia to further its aggressive actions against Ukraine.

Russia’s Response

Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, stated that all 91 drones were reportedly intercepted by Russian air defense systems, resulting in no reported casualties. He conveyed that due to Ukraine’s alleged shift towards “state terrorism,” Russia might reconsider its negotiating stance, although it does not plan to withdraw from discussions with the US.

Recent Diplomatic Talks

This incident occurred shortly after diplomatic talks in Florida between the leaders of the US and Ukraine. During these discussions, the two leaders reviewed a revised peace plan to bring an end to the ongoing conflict.

• President Zelensky highlighted that the US has proposed security guarantees for a duration of 15 years.
• President Trump indicated that the agreement was “close to 95% done.”

The unresolved issues include territorial disputes and the status of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, along with the fate of the contested Donbas region, where Russia currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region and nearly all of Luhansk.

Implications for Peace Talks

According to a Kremlin spokesperson, during a call with President Trump, Putin expressed his outrage over the drone attack shortly after the US-Ukraine discussions. The response from the US was not explicitly stated, but it underscored the seriousness with which the Kremlin is treating the allegation, pledging a strong retaliation for what it describes as a “reckless terrorist action.”

As the situation develops, both nations remain at a critical juncture in their discussions, with the international eyes closely watching their next moves.