In a significant escalation of rhetoric, Russia has directly accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack targeting President Vladimir Putin's official residence. The incident, which Moscow has labelled a "terrorist attack," has prompted a stark warning from Russian officials, who announced a revision of their negotiating position and promised retaliatory strikes.
Details of the Alleged Drone Attack
According to a statement from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the alleged incident occurred from Sunday night into Monday. Lavrov claimed that Ukrainian forces fired a total of 91 drones at Putin's residence, located in the Novgorod region between Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The Russian minister asserted that the country's air defence systems successfully intercepted and destroyed all of the incoming drones, preventing any physical damage to the site.
This accusation marks one of the most direct claims of an attack on a symbol of Russian state power since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The Novgorod region, while not bordering Ukraine, is home to several high-security government facilities.
Moscow's Stern Response and Revised Stance
The Russian government's reaction was swift and severe. Lavrov used the allegation to declare a fundamental shift in Moscow's approach to potential peace talks. He explicitly stated that Russia would now "revise" its negotiating position regarding ending the war in Ukraine in response to what it calls a terrorist act.
Furthermore, Lavrov announced that retaliation strikes were being prepared. "Russia had chosen targets in Ukraine for 'retaliation strikes'," he said, signalling a potential new wave of military action justified as a direct response to the alleged drone attack on the presidential residence.
Implications for the Ukraine Conflict
This development threatens to further derail any fragile diplomatic channels that may exist. By framing the incident as a direct attack on its leadership, Russia is creating a new pretext for military escalation and hardening its diplomatic terms. The announcement to revise its negotiating position likely means Moscow will set even more stringent conditions for any future ceasefire or peace discussions, potentially making a negotiated settlement more distant.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, as such accusations and promised retaliations often precede intensified military campaigns. The claim also comes amid ongoing Ukrainian efforts to target strategic locations within Russia using long-range drones and other means, a tactic Kyiv has employed to diminish Russian military logistics and morale.
This remains a developing story, and further updates on the situation and any promised Russian retaliation are expected to follow.
