Russia releases drone footage, claims Ukraine targeted Putin’s residence; Kyiv denies charge
Russia has released night-time footage of a downed drone, claiming it was launched by Ukraine as part of a coordinated attempt to target a residence linked to President Vladimir Putin in the Novgorod region, an allegation Kyiv has strongly denied, calling it fabricated and unsupported by credible evidence.
New Delhi: Russia on Wednesday released night-time footage of a downed drone, alleging it was part of a Ukrainian attempt to strike a residence linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Novgorod region. The video, shared by Russia’s defence ministry and cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP), shows what Moscow claims is the damaged unmanned aerial vehicle lying in a snow-covered forest.
The footage followed a statement earlier this week in which Moscow accused Ukraine of launching 91 long-range attack drones towards the presidential residence in north-west Russia. Russian officials said all the drones were intercepted, a claim that Kyiv has firmly rejected.
According to AFP, the Russian defence ministry described the alleged operation as "targeted, carefully planned and carried out in stages.” The Kremlin also labelled the purported strike a "terrorist act” and framed it as a "personal attack” on Putin. However, a Kremlin spokesperson said on Tuesday that no physical evidence could be provided because all drones involved had been shot down.
Moscow’s claim and released footage
The video released by Russia was filmed at night and purportedly documents the wreckage of one drone that, according to Moscow, was involved in the attempted strike. Russian officials argue that the imagery supports their narrative of a coordinated Ukrainian attack on a high-security location connected to the president.
Ukraine rejects allegation as fabrication
Ukraine has categorically denied the accusation, calling it a "lie” and a "complete fabrication.” President Volodymyr Zelensky said there was no "plausible” evidence to support Russia’s version of events and urged international partners to independently verify the claim.
"Our negotiating team connected with the American team, they went through the details, and we understand that it’s fake,” AFP quoted Zelensky as telling journalists. Kyiv has also pointed to skepticism expressed by some of Ukraine’s allies regarding Moscow’s assertion.
Trump reacts to Russian allegation
Amid the dispute, US President Donald Trump publicly criticised Kyiv after speaking with Putin. Trump said the Russian leader had informed him early in the morning about the alleged attack. "It’s one thing to be offensive because they’re offensive,” Trump said, "but it’s another thing to attack Putin’s house.”
Zelensky, meanwhile, said he would meet allied leaders in France on January 6 to renew efforts aimed at advancing peace talks, even as tensions over the drone allegation continue to escalate.