Russia’s Defense Ministry has released what it describes as evidence of a Ukrainian long-range drone operation aimed at the residence of President Vladimir Putin in the Novgorod Region.
According to Moscow, the attempted strike occurred overnight between December 28 and 29, when Ukraine allegedly launched a large wave of unmanned aerial vehicles toward the presidential compound.
Russian authorities said all incoming drones were intercepted before reaching the residence, and no casualties were reported.
The disclosure has added a new layer of tension to an already volatile conflict, with Moscow accusing Kyiv of planning what it calls a direct terrorist attack on the Russian head of state.
Russian Defense Ministry Publishes Drone Route Map
In a briefing on Wednesday, Russia’s Defense Ministry released a map detailing the alleged flight paths of the Ukrainian drones.
The map shows that the UAVs were launched from several locations inside Ukraine and flew northward toward Russian territory.
According to the ministry, the drones passed through Bryansk, Smolensk, and Tver regions before heading toward the Novgorod Region, where Putin’s residence is located.
Russian air defense systems were reportedly activated across multiple regions as the drones entered Russian airspace.
The Defense Ministry said 49 drones were shot down over Bryansk Region, one was intercepted over Smolensk Region, and another 41 were destroyed over Novgorod Region as they approached the target area.
Officials insisted that none of the drones breached the inner security perimeter of the residence.
Later the same day, the ministry released video footage showing debris from one of the downed UAVs.
Moscow Accuses Kyiv Of Terror Plot
In a strongly worded statement, the Defense Ministry said it had “presented irrefutable evidence of a terrorist attack planned by the Kiev regime on the Russian President’s residence.”
The ministry claimed fragments recovered from the wreckage included drones fitted with warheads and “special striking elements designed to kill people.”
According to Russian officials, these findings confirm hostile intent rather than a reconnaissance or symbolic operation.
The statement further argued that eyewitness accounts from residents who observed air defense activity in Novgorod Region supported Moscow’s version of events.
Russian authorities said these accounts “refute all attempts by Western and anti-Russian media outlets” to claim there was no proof of an attempted attack.
The ministry accused such outlets of deliberately downplaying or denying the seriousness of the incident.
Ukraine Denies Attack, Russia Pushes Back
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has denied that any drone attack on Putin’s residence took place.
However, Moscow rejected the denial outright.
The Defense Ministry said Zelensky was “either unaware of the actual situation or is simply lying as he usually does.”
The Kremlin also weighed in, framing the incident in broader geopolitical terms.
Russian officials claimed the alleged drone attack was not only aimed at President Putin personally but also targeted ongoing diplomatic efforts related to the war.
According to the Kremlin, the operation was directed “against efforts by US President Donald Trump to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.”
The claim suggests Moscow views the incident as an attempt to derail or complicate diplomatic channels rather than a standalone military action.
Rising Stakes In The Air War
The alleged incident highlights the growing role of long-range drone warfare in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Both sides have increasingly relied on UAVs to strike deep behind enemy lines, targeting military facilities, infrastructure, and symbolic locations.
While Ukraine has acknowledged responsibility for some high-profile drone operations inside Russia, it has denied others, particularly those involving sensitive political targets.
Independent verification of Moscow’s claims remains limited, and international observers have urged caution as information warfare continues to intensify.
As the conflict enters another uncertain phase, the alleged targeting of a presidential residence marks a potentially dangerous escalation.
Whether the claims will trigger diplomatic fallout or further military retaliation is unclear at this point.
What is certain is that the skies over Eastern Europe are becoming an increasingly contested battlefield, where drones now carry not just explosives, but powerful political messages.
However, reacting, Putin’s friend and ally, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko responds to alleged attack on Putin’s residence, “There is NO POINT — Putin doesn’t go there, they knew this, so why send 90 drones?’ If Zelensky had no knowledge of the attack, it reveals ‘Ukraine is poorly governed.“
Lukashenko suggested that Kiev — “wanted to provoke Putin, at a time when peace was within reach.”
He said, by attacking his residence “I noticed nothing of the sort this morning, that’s Putin for you, he doesn’t rush, there’s a peaceful path, let’s follow it.”
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