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Russia’s defence ministry has released night-time footage it says shows the wreckage of a Ukrainian drone changeable down adjacent 1 of President Vladimir Putin’s residences successful north-west Russia, reigniting tensions astatine a delicate infinitesimal successful bid talks implicit the warfare successful Ukraine.
Moscow described the alleged incidental arsenic a “terrorist act” and a “personal attack” connected Putin, a assertion Kyiv has firmly rejected arsenic fabricated.The video, published connected Wednesday, shows a damaged unmanned aerial conveyance lying successful snowfall successful a wooded area. The defence ministry said the drone was intercepted during a “mass launch” targeting Putin’s residence successful the Novgorod portion connected the nighttime of December 28–29. According to Russian officials, 91 drones were launched, each of which were intercepted by aerial defences.
The ministry said the drone carried a six-kilogram explosive charge, but added that the residence itself was not damaged.
The ministry said the alleged onslaught was "targeted, cautiously planned and carried retired successful stages." Moscow has not disclosed wherever Putin was astatine the time, citing information concerns. His residences are typically kept secret, though investigations by absorption figures successful the past person pointed to a heavy protected lakeside compound successful the region.
Ukraine and allies disregard assertion arsenic fabrication
Ukraine has categorically denied immoderate involvement, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calling the allegation “a implicit fabrication” designed to manipulate ongoing diplomatic efforts. Kyiv said determination was nary plausible grounds to enactment Moscow’s mentation of events and accused Russia of laying the groundwork for further attacks connected Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv.“Our negotiating squad connected with the American team, went done the details, and we recognize that it’s fake,” Zelenskyy told journalists, urging planetary partners to independently verify the claim.
Ukraine’s overseas minister, Andrii Sybiha, said Russia was spreading falsehoods to undermine efforts towards a lasting peace.Notably, Russian officials person said nary further grounds would beryllium provided. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said determination was nary request for impervious since each drones were allegedly destroyed. I
Trump reacts
The allegation has landed amid renewed diplomatic activity, soon aft Zelenskyy met US President Donald Trump successful Florida.
Trump said Putin personally informed him of the alleged onslaught and criticised Kyiv, saying it was “not the close time” for specified actions. Asked whether the incidental could person been fabricated, Trump appeared uncertain but said Putin had insisted it happened.The reported onslaught comes arsenic Trump has claimed a bid woody is “95% done”, portion Ukraine says it has agreed to astir elements of a US-drafted plan. Russia, however, has signalled it whitethorn present “revise” its negotiating position, with overseas curate Sergei Lavrov saying retaliatory targets successful Ukraine had already been selected.
