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The Russian government has reported on Monday an attempted Ukrainian drone attack against the presidential residence of Vladímir Putin in the Novgorod region.
According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Ukraine allegedly launched a total of 91 long-range drones on the night of December 28 to 29, in what he described as a “terrorist attack” that, however, did not result in damage or casualties.
The attack: 91 drones against a symbolic target
According to information published by the Russian state agency TASS, the Ukrainian offensive was specifically aimed at a highly symbolic location: the official residence of President Putin, situated in the northwestern region of Novgorod.
Lavrov emphasized that “all the drones were destroyed” thanks to the air defense systems of the Russian Armed Forces.
The chancellor clarified that “no victims or damage was reported as a result of the UAV remains” (unmanned aerial vehicles), but he did not provide images or evidence to verify the details of the incident.
In his statements, Lavrov warned that “Moscow will not leave the attack from Kiev unanswered”, although he did not specify what this reprisal would entail.
An attack during negotiations with the United States
The Russian foreign minister also emphasized that the timing of the attack coincides with a sensitive moment on the diplomatic stage.
"The attack was carried out during intense negotiations between Russia and the United States to resolve the Ukrainian conflict," Lavrov warned, suggesting that the Ukrainian government might be attempting to undermine diplomatic efforts or to exert pressure amid the dialogue.
Despite what he described as "a provocation," Lavrov stated that “Russia has no intention of withdrawing from the negotiation process”, although he did acknowledge that the Kremlin's negotiating position will be influenced by the episode.
"The negotiating position of Russia will be reviewed considering the definitive transition of the Kiev regime to a policy of state terrorism," the minister declared, notably intensifying the rhetoric against the Ukrainian government.
Moscow is preparing reprisals
According to sources cited by TASS, the Kremlin has already “determined the objectives and timing of the retaliatory attack” in response to the attempted aggression against Putin's residence.
However, so far no details have been publicly announced, nor has the start of offensive operations by Russian forces been confirmed.
The attack, although repelled without casualties or destruction, is one of the most ambitious in terms of the number of drones used against a high-level state target on Russian territory, which could mark a turning point in internal security measures and the perception of the political command's vulnerability in the country.
Context: Escalation amid stagnation
The war in Ukraine has entered a prolonged phase of attrition, with relatively stable front lines and an increasing reliance on long-range weapons, particularly drones, by both sides.
In this context, attacks on critical infrastructure or symbolic sites have increased, alongside efforts to revive diplomatic channels.
Russia's accusation against Ukraine comes at a time when Moscow is seeking to regain its negotiating prominence with the support of allies like China and with the indirect mediation of the United States.
Kiev, for its part, has insisted that it will not cease its military operations until there are guarantees for the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory.
Although the Ukrainian authorities have neither confirmed nor denied the attack, media reports warn that this type of operation often goes unclaimed, partly for tactical reasons and partly to maintain strategic ambiguity.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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