A day after Russia accused Ukrainian drones of attacking Moscow and parts of Crimea, Russia’s defence ministry released a video footage. The video, according to Reuters, appeared to show repeated drone strikes on a residence used by Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Russia, the drone was carrying a six-kilogram explosive charge. The alleged attack came just days before New Year’s Eve.

Soon after Russia made the claim, Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president and prime minister who now sits on Russia’s Security Council, posted a harsh message on X, accusing Zelenskyy of trying to disrupt US-backed peace talks. 

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Videos claim drone strikes on Putin’s residence go viral

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Ukraine of launching around 91 drones toward Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region, which lies between Moscow and St. Petersburg. Lavrov said Russia’s air defence systems intercepted the drones before they could hit their target.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later said the allegations were part of a Russian effort to disrupt peace talks and justify more attacks on Ukraine. He made the remarks after meeting US President Donald Trump in Florida. France also backed Ukraine’s position, saying it found no solid evidence to support Russia’s serious claims. 

“Now, with their statement that some residence of theirs was attacked, they are simply preparing, I am sure, preparing the ground, in principle, to launch strikes, probably on the capital and, probably, on state buildings,” Zelenskyy said, according to ABC News.

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Russia issues a warning 

Taking to X, Dmitry Medvedev wrote that the Ukrainian leader was “trying to derail the settlement of the conflict.” “He wants war. Well, now at least he’ll have to stay in hiding for the rest of his worthless life,” Medvedev said.

Another senior Kremlin figure, Kiril Dmitriev, also weighed in. Dmitriev, who serves as the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and has been involved in talks with US officials, posted a short but chilling message on X. “Who is after Zelenskyy?” Dmitriev wrote.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the alleged drone attack would lead to a tougher Russian stance in talks. “Russia is not withdrawing from the negotiation process,” Peskov said, but added that the incident would result in a “hardening of the Russian Federation’s negotiating position,” ABC News reported.

Trump responds to attack on Putin’s house

The Kremlin said US President Donald Trump was informed about the alleged drone attack during a phone call with President Putin on Monday. Speaking later to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump confirmed the call. “President Putin called me about it early in the morning. He said he was attacked. It’s no good. It’s no good,” Trump said.

Trump also spoke about his earlier decision not to send Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. “I stopped the Tomahawks. I didn’t want that,” he said. “It’s one thing to be offensive because they’re offensive. It’s another thing to attack his house. It’s not the right time to do any of that,” Trump added. “I was very angry about it,” Trump said, according to ABC News.

When asked whether there was any proof that Putin’s residence had actually been attacked, Trump admitted there was uncertainty. “You’re saying maybe the attack didn’t take place, that’s possible too, I guess,” Trump said. “But President Putin told me this morning it did.”