Russian President Vladimir Putin told President Trump during a call Monday — their second conversation in 24 hours — that Ukraine launched a drone attack aimed at one of his official residences, a claim Kyiv flatly rejected.
According to a Kremlin readout, Putin said Moscow would adjust its negotiating stance over the alleged strike, signaling fresh resistance to a U.S.- and Ukraine-backed deal that has been under discussion for weeks.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed air defenses intercepted 91 long-range drones allegedly headed toward the Dolgiye Borody residence in Russia’s Novgorod region, which sits between Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pushed back forcefully, dismissing reports that Kyiv targeted Putin’s residence as false and politically motivated.
Reuters reported Lavrov said Ukraine attempted to strike Putin’s home in northern Russia and warned Moscow would retaliate.
“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,” Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X. “Typical Russian lies. Furthermore, the Russians have already targeted Kyiv in the past, including the Cabinet of Ministers building.”
“Ukraine does not take steps that can undermine diplomacy,” Zelenskyy added. “To the contrary, Russia always takes such steps. This is one of many differences between us.”
The competing claims underscore the deep distrust between the two sides as Washington continues to push for a negotiated end to the war, even as Moscow signals it may be preparing to harden its position rather than soften it.
