In a move to substantiate its claims, Russia has released a video showcasing what it says is a downed drone involved in an attempted strike on a presidential residence utilized by Vladimir Putin. The footage, shared by the Russian defense ministry, reportedly shows the damaged drone lying in a snowy landscape at night. Russian authorities stated that 91 long-range attack drones were dispatched toward a property in the Novgorod region but were all intercepted and destroyed, preventing any damage. The Kremlin has labeled the alleged drone operation a “terrorist act” and a direct, personal attack on President Putin.
This development comes shortly after Russia accused Ukraine of conducting a major drone attack. Previously, the Kremlin had mentioned that conclusive proof was unavailable as all drones were shot down. Ukraine has strongly denied involvement, characterizing Russia’s assertion as a fabrication with no supporting evidence. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine and its allies reviewed the situation and deemed it a staged event. Kyiv has urged its international partners to independently verify the Russian narrative. Zelenskyy also indicated ongoing diplomatic efforts, including a planned meeting with allies in France to discuss peace. Notably, former US President Donald Trump commented that Putin personally told him about the alleged attack, highlighting the severity of targeting a leader’s residence.