Moscow has accused Kiev of trying to strike a presidential residence in northern Russia - a claim that Ukrainian leaders have dismissed as a lie designed to allow Moscow to continue the war in Ukraine.
What are Russia's accusations?
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine yesterday of attacking a presidential residence in the Novgorod region with 91 long-range strike drones on the night of December 28-29, and said Russia would respond.
The minister added that there were no injuries and that while Moscow would not break off talks to end the war in Ukraine, its negotiating position would be reviewed as a result of the attack, which he described as a "state terrorism".
Lavrov did not provide evidence for his accusations. He said that Russia had already identified the targets it would strike in Ukraine.
What did Ukraine respond to?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the Russian accusations as "another series of lies" intended to justify further attacks on Ukraine and the continuation of the war that has been raging since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine in February 2022.
"This story of alleged "strikes on the residence" is completely fabricated, intended to justify further attacks on Ukraine, including on Kiev, as well as Russia's refusal to take the necessary steps to stop the war. Typical Russian lies," Zelensky said.
Russia often launches hundreds of drones, as well as missiles, in its near-daily attacks on Ukraine.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga called on world leaders yesterday to condemn Russia for its claims, adding today: "Almost a day has passed, and Russia has still not provided any credible evidence for its accusations of an alleged Ukrainian "attack on Putin's residence". And they will not do so, because they do not have any. Such an attack has not been carried out."
Where is the residence located?
The Valdai residence, also known as "Uzhin" or "Dolnyi Borodi", is a heavily guarded complex on the shores of Lake Valdai, about 360 kilometers north of Moscow.
Where was Putin at the time of the attack?
It is not clear where Putin was at the time of the alleged attack, but he was holding meetings in the Kremlin on Saturday and yesterday. Putin himself has not yet commented publicly on the case, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today that in light of recent events, such details should not be made public.
Shortly before Lavrov made his statement, Putin held a meeting in the Kremlin with Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, Federal Security Service Director Alexander Bortnikov and senior generals on the situation on the front in Ukraine. He did not mention an attack on his residence.
What did Trump say?
Putin briefed Trump on the attack yesterday. "I don't like it. It's not good," Trump told reporters.
"The period is delicate. This is not the right time (for such an attack - ed. note). It's one thing to be aggressive, because they are aggressive. It's another to attack his (Putin's) home. This is not the right time for something like this," the US head of state added.
"I learned about this today from President Putin. I was very angry," the American president said.
Where did the drones fly?
Following Lavrov's statement, the Russian Defense Ministry said that 91 drones were shot down as they approached the presidential residence, including 49 over the Bryansk region, which is 450 km from Valdai, one over the Smolensk region and 41 over the densely forested Novgorod region.
The Russian Defense Ministry did not mention any attack on the residence in its earlier reports. Novgorod Region Governor Alexander Dronov said air defense and fighter jets shot down Ukrainian drones.
When asked about physical evidence of the drone attack, Peskov said today that the issue of debris was within the competence of the Defense Ministry.
Has Russia accused Ukraine of similar attacks before?
Russia accused Ukraine in 2023 of a drone attack on the Kremlin, which it said was aimed at assassinating Putin.
Kiev denied involvement in the incident and accused Russia of fabricating a pretext to escalate the war.
The "New York Times" later wrote that US intelligence agencies believe Ukrainian special services were behind the attack, but it is unclear whether Zelensky or his senior officials were informed of the operation. According to the American daily, some officials believe that Zelensky was not informed.
What will be the repercussions of the alleged attack?
Russia said yesterday that it would respond and review its position in the peace talks, but added that it was not breaking off the talks.
"The diplomatic consequences will be a hardening of the negotiating positions of the Russian Federation," Peskov said today. He did not specify what targets Russia might strike, but added that the Russian military knows when and how to respond.
Translated from English: Alexey Margoevsky, BTA