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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has categorically denied Russian accusations that Ukraine launched a massive drone attack on President Vladimir Putin's state residence. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed Kyiv fired 91 long-range unmanned aerial vehicles at the President's facility in the Novgorod region overnight. Lavrov stated that the Russian air defense systems successfully intercepted all incoming drones, resulting in no casualties or damage. However, he declared that Moscow would now "review" its position in peace negotiations, citing the "final degeneration of the criminal Kyiv regime" into state terrorism.
Zelensky rejected the claim as "typical Russian lies," arguing the Kremlin fabricated the incident to create a pretext for escalating attacks on government buildings in Kyiv and to derail diplomatic progress. This confrontation arose immediately following a meeting between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump in Florida, where they discussed a revised peace plan. Zelensky revealed the US offered Ukraine fifteen-year security guarantees, a point Trump described as being "close to 95%" agreed. However, significant hurdles remain regarding the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and the Donbas region, where Moscow currently holds approximately 75% of Donetsk and 99% of Luhansk.
Following the critical Florida summit, President Trump spoke directly with Putin. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov reported that Putin emphasized the attack occurred "almost straight after" the US-Ukraine talks. Ushakov claimed Trump was "shocked" and "angry," purportedly stating such actions would affect Washington's approach to Zelensky. When later questioned by reporters, Trump appeared less certain, admitting he was told of the attack by Putin but noting, "We'll find out" regarding evidence.
Zelensky implored the international community not to stay silent, warning that Russia seeks to undermine the work toward a lasting peace. While Lavrov indicated Russia would not exit the negotiating process entirely, the rhetoric signals a hardening stance. Ukraine is now bracing for heavy retaliatory strikes, with Zelensky noting recent Russian bombardments of Kyiv's critical energy infrastructure and civilian residential areas.
The conflicting narratives threaten to destabilize the fragile diplomatic momentum just as Trump and the Kremlin suggested talks were entering their final stages. Both sides remain locked in a volatile standoff, with the alleged drone incident serving as a flashpoint that could complicate the proposed security frameworks and territorial concessions currently under intense discussion amid the ongoing war.
