Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday accused Ukraine of launching 91 drones on Putin’s official residence in the Novgorod region, which lies between Moscow and St. Petersburg. Lavrov added that the air defense system shot the drones down.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied the claim and accused Russia of derailing peace talks, following his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida Sunday.
“Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts with President Trump’s team,” Zelenskyy said on Monday, calling the accusations “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.”
Russia’s claim, nonetheless, triggered condemnation of the alleged attack from Russia-aligned countries and the United States.
The United Arab Emirate’s foreign ministry said it “denounced this deplorable attack”, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shebhaz Sharif called it “a heinous act.” India’s Modi said he was “deeply concerned” by the alleged strike.
Trump said that Putin told him about the attack in a phone call.