Russia Accuses Ukraine of Attacking Putin’s Residence; Kyiv Calls It a “Lie” and a Pretext for Escalation

A new war of words has erupted between Moscow and Kyiv, centering on a dramatic—and unverified—Russian claim that Ukraine attempted a direct strike on President Vladimir Putin’s personal residence.

The Russian Accusation

On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asserted that Ukrainian forces launched an overnight attack using 91 long-range drones targeting the “Dolgiye Borody” (Long Beards) presidential residence in the Novgorod region. This secluded estate, with a history of use by Soviet leaders from Stalin to Putin, was allegedly the objective. Lavrov claimed Russian air defenses destroyed all drones, resulting in no casualties or damage.

Lavrov framed the alleged incident as an act of “state terrorism” and declared that Russia’s negotiating position in any future peace talks would now be “reviewed.” While stating Russia would not abandon diplomacy entirely, he issued a stark warning: “Such reckless actions will not go unanswered.” He indicated that Russia’s military had already selected targets for retaliatory strikes.

Ukraine’s Forceful Denial and Counter-Charge

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy immediately and categorically denied the allegation, calling it a “lie.” He presented a counter-narrative, suggesting Moscow is fabricating the story to create a pretext for a major new escalation.

“Russia is preparing the ground to strike government buildings in Kyiv,” Zelenskyy stated. He interpreted the Russian claim as a deliberate attempt to sabotage peace efforts, providing a justification for intensified attacks on Ukrainian civilian and state infrastructure.

Context of Escalating Strikes and Fighting

The exchange occurs amid a reported intensification of long-range strikes deep inside each other’s territory. Ukraine has recently targeted Russian oil refineries and energy infrastructure, while Russia has launched massive missile and drone barrages against Ukrainian cities.

Simultaneously, on the battlefield, Putin on Monday ordered his military to press forward with operations to seize full control of the Zaporizhzhia region in southern Ukraine. This followed a statement from a Russian commander that their forces are within 15 km (9.3 miles) of the regional capital, Zaporizhzhia, a major Ukrainian-held city.

Unanswered Questions and Strategic Implications

Key details remain unclear:

• There is no independent verification of the alleged drone attack on the presidential residence.

• It is not known if Putin was present at the Dolgiye Borody complex at the time of the alleged incident.

Analysts suggest the accusations and denials serve immediate strategic purposes for both sides. For Russia, it may be a narrative tool to:

1. Justify further mobilization and more brutal strikes on Ukrainian leadership targets.

2. Hardline its position in any diplomatic forum.

3. Reinstate a sense of vulnerability and threat to the Russian domestic audience.

For Ukraine, the firm denial aims to:

1. Undermine Russia’s credibility on the international stage.

2. Alert allies and its own population to the possibility of severe new Russian attacks on Kyiv.

3. Maintain the moral high ground by rejecting what it labels as a false-flag narrative.

The incident underscores how the information war remains a critical front in the wider conflict, where claims of high-stakes attacks are wielded as tools to shape global perception, justify military escalation, and undermine diplomatic initiatives.

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