Peace talks are once again in jeopardy.
The Kremlin lit up the airwaves Monday with a dramatic charge, claiming Ukraine launched 91 long-range drones overnight at an official residence of Vladimir Putin in Russia’s Novgorod region, and boasting that every single one was shot down.
Ukraine fired back immediately.
President Volodymyr Zelensky flatly denied the story, accusing Moscow of setting the stage for new attacks on Kyiv just days after his high-profile meeting with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago.
“Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts with President Trump’s team,” Zelensky wrote on X. “We keep working together to bring peace closer.”
He didn’t stop there.
Zelensky called the alleged strike “a complete fabrication intended to justify additional attacks against Ukraine, including Kyiv… Typical Russian lies.”
Зараз прозвучали дуже небезпечні заяви з Росії, які очевидно направлені на зрив усіх досягнень нашої спільної роботи з командою Президента Трампа. Ми працюємо разом, щоб наблизити мир.
Зараз росіяни придумали очевидно фейкову історію про начебто якийсь удар по якійсь резиденції…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 29, 2025
Kremlin Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov escalated the rhetoric, saying Russia would now “review its negotiating position” after the supposed attack. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
Zelensky responded with a warning and a plea.
“Ukraine does not take steps that can undermine diplomacy… Russia always takes such steps. This is one of many differences between us.”
He added: “It is critical that the world doesn’t stay silent now. We cannot allow Russia to undermine the work on achieving a lasting peace.”
This story is developing…
