Russia has accused Ukraine of attempting a drone attack on one of President Vladimir Putin’s official residences in the Novgorod or Valdai region of northern Russia on December 29, twenty-twenty-five, a claim that Kyiv has forcefully rejected as baseless and aimed at undermining ongoing peace negotiations.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that around ninety-one long-range unmanned aerial vehicles were launched toward the estate but were intercepted and destroyed by Russian air defenses, causing no casualties or damage.

Moscow described the alleged assault as an act of “state terrorism” and suggested it would cause Russia to reassess its negotiating stance, though it stopped short of withdrawing from talks.

Russia has not provided any publicly verifiable evidence for the allegation, and independent confirmation of the incident remains unavailable.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the accusation a fabrication and suggested that it was designed to justify potential future attacks on Ukrainian government targets and derail diplomatic efforts.

Ukraine’s foreign minister also dismissed the claim as unsubstantiated, noting that no proof has been offered and that the allegation is intended to disrupt joint negotiations involving Ukrainian and U.S. leadership.

The residence in question is a highly secured retreat situated roughly three hundred sixty kilometres north of Moscow, sometimes referred to by names such as “Dolgiye Borody,” but Russian authorities have not confirmed Putin’s presence there at the time.

Kremlin spokespersons have declined to disclose the president’s precise whereabouts during the purported event.

The allegation emerged at a sensitive moment for diplomacy: U.S. President Donald Trump and Zelensky recently held discussions on peace initiatives, and European and Canadian leaders have been engaged in talks aimed at advancing negotiations.

Trump, after speaking with Putin by phone, expressed anger at the notion of an attack on a head of state’s home but maintained cautious optimism about the peace process.

Western leaders and analysts have noted that such claims, absent clear evidence, risk complicating diplomatic momentum and could be used strategically by Moscow to shift the narrative or harden its demands.

Ukraine continues to advocate for peace negotiations while seeking continued support from international partners, including the United States, to bolster its defense and diplomatic position.

The latest developments underscore the tense and fragile nature of the conflict and the challenges facing efforts to reach a negotiated resolution.