On the night of December 28 to 29, 2025, Russian officials say they shot down 91 drones targeting the presidential residence in Novgorod, in Russia’s northwest.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the incident as “state terrorism,” warning that such reckless actions won’t go unanswered. According to Lavrov, all drones were destroyed by air defenses, and no injuries or damage were reported.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promptly denied the attack, accusing Russia of fabricating the story to justify its own strikes on Kyiv government buildings. “Another round of lies from the Russian Federation,” Zelenskyy said, suggesting Moscow wants to derail progress in U.S.-Ukrainian peace talks.
On social media, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the accusations a pretext for more attacks and urged global leaders to condemn Russia.
Meanwhile, peace negotiations continue. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov revealed that President Vladimir Putin discussed the latest U.S.-Ukraine talks in a December 29 phone call with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump said he was “shocked and outraged” by the reported drone attack and optimistic about reaching a deal.
Trump and Zelenskyy met in Florida on December 28, outlining a 50-year security framework that’s now 95% ready. However, thorny issues remain: control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and the status of the Donbas region. Russia insists any foreign troop presence in Ukraine is off-limits, while Ukraine demands a ceasefire along current front lines.
As the calendar flips to 2026, all eyes are on these high-stakes talks. Will accusations and counter-accusations derail the path to peace? 🌐🕊️
Reference(s):
Russia accuses Ukraine of drone attack on presidential residence
cgtn.com
