The Ukrainian armed forces carried out a drone attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region, as confirmed by Major General Alexander Romanenkov. The attack, originating from the Sumy and Chernihiv regions of Ukraine, was met with a robust response from Russia’s Ministry of Defence. Russian air defense assets successfully intercepted and destroyed all Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) targeting the presidential residence.
Russia utilized Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) and Electronic Warfare (EW) systems to counter Ukrainian incursions over the Bryansk, Smolensk, and Novgorod regions. A total of 41 drones were downed over the Novgorod region, with an additional 49 drones intercepted over the Bryansk region between December 28 and 29. In response to the attack, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced a firming of Russia’s negotiating stance in discussions with Ukraine, emphasizing that Russia remains committed to diplomatic dialogue, particularly with the US.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov condemned Ukraine for the alleged UAV strike on Putin’s state residence, vowing a retaliatory response. Lavrov highlighted that all drones were neutralized by Russian air defenses without any reported casualties or damages. The incident occurred amidst ongoing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to resolve the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky refuted Russia’s claims, dismissing them as falsehoods and emphasizing the need for factual accuracy in the situation.
