Russia Claims 91 Drones Targeted Putin’s Novgorod Residence; Kyiv Denies as Lavrov Warns Retaliation Plans Are Set

MOSCOW / KYIV : Russia has accused Ukraine of attempting a large-scale UAV strike on one of President Vladimir Putin’s state residences in northwestern Russia, alleging that 91 long-range drones were launched toward the site and that all were destroyed by Russian air defenses. Ukraine has flatly rejected the allegation, saying Moscow has offered no evidence and warning the claim could be used as a pretext for new Russian attacks, including on Kyiv.

What Russia Says Happened

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the alleged incident took place in the early hours of December 29, with drones aimed at a presidential residence in Russia’s Novgorod region—often described in media reports as linked to Putin’s Valdai area retreat. Lavrov called the episode an act of “state terrorism” and said it would force Moscow to reassess its negotiating posture, while still claiming Russia would not abandon the ongoing diplomatic track.

Russian state media accounts and secondary reports citing the Russian Defense Ministry provided a more detailed breakdown of interceptions, saying 49 drones were downed over Bryansk, while 18 were intercepted over Novgorod up to 7:00 a.m. Moscow time, followed by another 23 between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. 

Some Ukrainian and independent reporting also flagged inconsistencies in Russia’s public tallies, noting that separate official statements referenced different totals for drones intercepted that night, even as Lavrov publicly cited 91.

Ukraine’s Response: “Fabrication” and a Warning of Escalation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Russia’s accusation as false, describing it as another round of Russian disinformation intended to undermine diplomacy and justify further strikes. Ukrainian officials and several outlets emphasized that Moscow has not released verifiable evidence—such as imagery, wreckage documentation tied to the alleged flight paths, or independent corroboration—supporting the claim that Putin’s residence was the intended target. 

Separate reporting noted that residents in the Valdai area reported no visible signs consistent with the dramatic account described by Russian officials, adding to questions around the incident’s verifiability. 

Lavrov: Retaliation “Targets and Timing” Decided

Lavrov’s most consequential statement was his assertion that Russia has already determined the “targets” and “timing” of a retaliatory strike in response to the alleged attack. While he did not name specific locations, the warning landed amid heightened concern in Ukraine about potential renewed strikes on government and command sites in Kyiv and other major cities. 

Diplomacy in the Background, Uncertainty in the Foreground

The claims and counterclaims have surfaced as international efforts to explore a negotiated end to the war remain active, with Russia signaling it could harden its stance while Ukraine argues Moscow is attempting to derail talks through escalation messaging. Reuters reported that it remained unclear whether Putin was at the residence at the time, and independent confirmation of the alleged targeting has not been established publicly.

Why This Matters Now

If Russia proceeds with a major retaliatory strike, it would further intensify a war already marked by expanding long-range drone operations and reciprocal attacks deep behind front lines. Analysts quoted by Australia’s ABC said the episode—at least as described by Moscow—“made no sense,” underscoring the uncertainty surrounding what occurred and why it was announced in such stark terms.

For now, the episode stands as a high-stakes information battle: Moscow framing an alleged 91-drone operation as terrorism against the head of state, and Kyiv calling it a manufactured narrative designed to justify the next wave of strikes