Russia has unveiled footage of a drone it claims was sent by Ukraine to target one of President Vladimir Putin’s homes.
The nighttime video captures a damaged drone resting in the snow within a wooded region of northwestern Russia, recorded earlier this week.
The Russian defense ministry described the purported assault as ‘targeted, meticulously orchestrated, and executed in phases,’ a statement that Kyiv has dismissed as false.
This development comes after the Kremlin initially declined to provide evidence of the supposed Ukrainian attack on Putin’s residence, asserting that all drones were successfully intercepted.
Additionally, Moscow issued a warning about potentially withdrawing from peace negotiations on Monday night, accusing Kyiv of plotting to assassinate the Russian leader.
In response, US President Donald Trump expressed his anger on Monday regarding the alleged strike on the Valdai mansion in Novgorod province, a location favored by Putin.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky denied any attempt to kill his counterpart, dismissing the accusation as ‘another lie from the Russian Federation’ designed to topple peace negotiations.
‘I don’t think there should be any evidence if such a massive drone attack is being carried out, which, thanks to the well-coordinated work of the air defence system, was shot down,’ Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists in a call.
Russia has released a video of a downed drone that it says Ukraine launched at one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences
It follows the Kremlin’s initial refusal to offer proof of the alleged Ukrainian attack on one of Putin’s residences, claiming that all of the drones were shot down
The clip, shot during the night, showed a damaged drone lying in the snow in a forested area in north-west Russia this week
Moscow threatened to pull out of peace talks on Monday night after accusing Kyiv of attempting to assassinate the Russian leader
Peskov also said Russia would ‘toughen’ its negotiating stance in talks on ending the Ukraine war following the alleged attack.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed Kyiv had launched the attack on the northwestern residence on Sunday night, using 91 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
‘Such reckless actions will not go unanswered,’ Lavrov said, branding the alleged attack as ‘state terrorism’ and adding that targets had already been selected for retaliatory strikes by Russia’s armed forces.
Following the alleged attack, in which there were no injuries or damage, Trump told reporters: ‘It’s one thing to be offensive. It’s another thing to attack his house.
‘It’s not the right time to do any of that. And I learned about it from President Putin today. I was very angry about it.’
After more questions, the US President said it was ‘possible’ the attack did not happen.
Mr Lavrov did not confirm whether Putin was at the forested palace – located between Moscow and St Petersburg – at the time of the alleged attack.
On Monday night, Russian sources said Putin told Mr Trump the Kremlin was amending its negotiating position following the alleged drone attack.
Russian aide Yuri Ushakov said: ‘Russia’s position will be reviewed on several agreements reached at the previous stage and on the emerging interchanges.’
Zelensky also admitted that Ukraine cannot win its war against Russia without American support and that he does not trust Russian President Vladimir Putin.
‘Can we win without American support? No,’ Zelensky said in an interview on Fox News show ‘Special Report with Bret Baier’ that aired on Monday, before laying out the difficulties that will be posed by a lack of US support.
‘I don’t trust Putin, and he doesn’t want success for Ukraine,’ Zelensky said, adding his Sunday meeting with Trump was productive.
Moscow threatened to pull out of peace talks on Monday night after accusing Kyiv of attempting to attack Vladimir Putin’s Valdai mansion in Novgorod province, pictured above
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky denied any attempt to kill his counterpart, dismissing the accusation as ‘another lie from the Russian Federation’
US President Donald Trump later told reporters on Monday he was ‘very angry’ to hear about the alleged attack
Ukraine’s foreign minister urged world leaders on Monday to condemn Russian ‘manipulations’ about the alleged Ukrainian attack on Putin’s residence, saying Moscow was seeking ‘false justification’ for further strikes on its neighbour.
‘Usual Russian tactic: Accuse the other side of what you are doing or planning yourself,’ Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X.
‘First, Russia has already struck the Ukrainian government building this year.
‘Second, Ukraine only strikes legitimate military targets in the Russian territory – in response to Russian strikes at Ukraine.
‘Third, Russia is the aggressor, and Ukraine is the country that has been attacked and defends itself according to Article 51 of the UN Charter.
‘There can be no false equivalence between the aggressor and the country defending itself. We urge the world to condemn provocative Russian statements aimed at derailing the constructive peace process. Ukraine remains committed to peace efforts led by the United States, with the participation of European partners.’
Zelensky told journalists that the allegation is an excuse, allowing the Kremlin to prepare ‘the ground to carry out strikes, probably on the capital and probably on government buildings,’ he said.
Posting on X, the Ukrainian leader said: ‘This alleged ‘residence strike’ story is a complete fabrication intended to justify additional attacks against Ukraine, including Kyiv, as well as Russia’s own refusal to take necessary steps to end the war.
‘Typical Russian lies. Furthermore, the Russians have already targeted Kyiv in the past, including the Cabinet of Ministers building.
Putin’s countryside property, pictured above, is located on a peninsula between two lakes, making it difficult to attack with drones and missiles
Russian President Vladimir Putin has increasingly favoured the forested Valdai retreat amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and rising drone attacks on Russian targets
‘Ukraine does not take steps that can undermine diplomacy. To the contrary, Russia always takes such steps. This is one of many differences between us.’
Putin’s countryside property is located on a peninsula between two lakes, making it difficult to target with missiles. It is understood to be heavily guarded with air defence systems.
Ukraine said Tuesday there was no ‘plausible evidence’ it launched a drone attack on one of the Valdai mansions.
‘Almost a day passed, and Russia still hasn’t provided any plausible evidence to its accusations of Ukraine’s alleged “attack on Putin’s residence.” And they won’t. Because there’s none. No such attack happened,’ Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said in a post on X.
The Kremlin said attempts by Ukraine and Western media to deny the incident were ‘insane’.
Moscow’s allegation comes at a pivotal moment in the nearly four-year war.
Ukraine says it has agreed to 90 percent of a US-drafted peace plan – including the issue of post-war security guarantees – but Russia has been hesitant to accept a deal that does not meet its maximalist demands.
