Dolgie Borody, Novgorod Oblast, Russia: Russia on Monday claimed that Ukraine attempted to target the official residence of President Vladimir Putin using drones. Kyiv firmly rejected the accusation, calling it false and politically motivated. Ukrainian officials said the claims were invented to justify further Russian military action and to derail ongoing diplomatic initiatives, according to Reuters.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Ukraine carried out an overnight drone operation aimed at the presidential residence located in the Novgorod region. He added that Russian air defenses intercepted and destroyed 91 long range drones, and confirmed that there were no casualties or damage to property. Lavrov labeled the alleged act as “state terrorism” and warned that Moscow would respond, saying specific targets for retaliation had already been selected.

Lavrov also indicated that the incident could force Russia to reassess its position on peace negotiations, though he emphasized that Moscow would not withdraw from the talks currently underway with Ukraine. Russian authorities did not clarify whether President Putin was present at the residence during the reported incident. The residence, located in Dolgie Borody, has historically been used by former Soviet and Russian leaders including Joseph Stalin, Nikita Khrushchev, Boris Yeltsin, and Putin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the accusations, calling them “another chain of falsehoods.” He said Russia was fabricating such narratives to obstruct diplomatic progress and to justify new attacks on Kyiv. Zelenskyy accused Moscow of intentionally heightening tensions during a sensitive phase of negotiations and claimed the allegations were designed to weaken peace discussions involving Ukraine and the United States. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has been asked to comment on Russia’s warnings of retaliation.