Russia on Monday accused Ukraine of attempting to target President Vladimir Putin’s residence in northern Russia, a claim that Kyiv firmly denied, calling it fabricated and aimed at justifying further Russian military action, according to Reuters.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov alleged that Ukraine launched an overnight drone attack on the presidential residence located in the Novgorod region. He claimed Russian air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 91 long-range drones, adding that there were no casualties or damage reported.
“Such reckless actions will not go unanswered,” Lavrov was quoted as saying, adding that Russian armed forces had already identified targets for retaliatory strikes. He said the incident would force Moscow to reconsider its negotiating stance, though Russia would not withdraw from ongoing discussions linked to a possible peace settlement.
Russian authorities did not clarify whether Putin was present at the Dolgiye Borody residence—also known as Long Beards—at the time of the alleged attack. The site has historically been used by several Soviet and Russian leaders, including Josef Stalin, Nikita Khrushchev, Boris Yeltsin and Putin.
Ukraine dismisses claim
Ukraine strongly rejected Moscow’s allegations. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the accusation as “another round of lies,” accusing Russia of trying to derail diplomatic efforts and create a pretext for new strikes.
Zelenskyy warned that Moscow was “preparing the ground” to attack Ukrainian government buildings and said Russia was deliberately escalating its rhetoric during a sensitive phase of diplomatic engagement. Speaking to reporters via WhatsApp, he said the claim was meant to undermine progress in Ukraine-US peace talks and urged US President Donald Trump to respond to what he termed Russian threats.
The exchange came amid continued fighting on the ground. On Monday, Putin instructed Russian forces to step up efforts to take full control of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region in the south.
A Russian military commander said Moscow’s troops were around 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) from Zaporizhzhia city, the region’s largest urban centre.
White House on Trump-Putin call
Meanwhile, the White House confirmed that President Trump held what it described as a “positive call” with Putin on Monday to discuss the war in Ukraine. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt did not disclose details of the conversation, Reuters reported.
The fresh accusations and counterclaims underscore the deep mistrust between Moscow and Kyiv, even as diplomatic contacts continue. With both sides accusing each other of provocation and deception, prospects for de-escalation remain uncertain amid ongoing military operations and sharply contrasting narratives.