Ukraine criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for expressing concern over Russia’s unproven claim that Ukrainian drones attacked President Vladimir Putin’s official residence, an allegation Kyiv firmly denied and said had increased diplomatic tensions.
Ukraine Rejects Russia’s Claim on Putin’s Official Residence and Calls Out India, UAE, and Pakistan
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha strongly rejected Russia’s accusation that Ukrainian drones attacked Russian President Vladimir Putin’s official residence and criticized the reactions of several countries, including India. In a post on X, Sybiha said Russia had provided no evidence to support its claim, even nearly a full day after making the allegation. He stressed that no such attack took place and described the accusation as entirely false.
Sybiha said Ukraine was “disappointed and concerned” by statements from India, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates, which expressed alarm over the alleged incident. According to Kyiv, these reactions were based on a fictional event and risked lending credibility to an unproven claim.
Moscow shares alleged drone proof with US amid dispute over Putin attack claim
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had said Ukraine launched 91 drones at Putin’s official residence in the Novgorod region, between Moscow and St. Petersburg. He claimed Russian air defenses intercepted and destroyed the drones. However, Russia did not release any videos, images, or independent proof to back up the allegation.
Despite the lack of evidence, the UAE condemned what it called a deplorable attack, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif labeled it a heinous act, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply concerned. Ukraine argued that such statements could spread misinformation and complicate diplomatic efforts at a sensitive time.
Zelenskyy Accuses Moscow of Sabotaging Peace Efforts
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied Russia’s claim that Ukraine attacked President Vladimir Putin’s official residence and accused Moscow of using false allegations to disrupt peace talks. His comments came shortly after meeting U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida, where both leaders spoke positively about progress in diplomatic efforts.
Zelenskyy said Russia was once again making “dangerous statements” to undermine diplomatic work with the United States. He described the accusation as a “complete fabrication,” arguing that Moscow was trying to justify further attacks on Ukraine, including strikes on Kyiv, while avoiding real steps toward ending the war. According to him, spreading such claims helps Russia portray itself as a victim while continuing military operations.
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France appeared to back Ukraine’s account. An aide to French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris found no solid evidence to support Russia’s serious allegations, even after checking the information with its partners. The French official also noted that Russian authorities had issued conflicting statements about what actually happened, suggesting confusion or inconsistency in Moscow’s narrative.
France said these contradictions pointed to an attempt to undermine the peace process rather than a response to a genuine incident involving Putin’s official residence.
Global Reactions and Trump’s Response to Putin’s Allegation
Despite Ukraine’s strong denials and France’s support, Russia’s claim triggered reactions from countries aligned with Moscow and even influenced statements from the United States.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he learned about the alleged drone attack directly from Putin during a phone call. Trump said he felt angry after hearing about it and described the moment as very delicate.
He said that while war involves offensive actions, attacking a leader’s home crossed a line, especially at a sensitive time. Trump stressed that it was not the right moment for such actions, reflecting concern about the impact the claim could have on diplomatic efforts.
According to Trump, Putin told him that Russia would need to reconsider its position in peace negotiations following the alleged attack. This statement raised concerns in Kyiv and among its supporters, as it appeared to threaten recent progress in talks aimed at reducing the conflict.
Only days earlier, Trump and Zelenskyy had met in Florida, where both sides spoke of significant progress. The United States reportedly offered Ukraine long-term security guarantees lasting 15 years, signaling a deeper commitment to Ukraine’s safety.
Ukraine maintains that the alleged attack on the official residence never happened and continues to demand proof from Russia. Kyiv has urged countries, including India, to act cautiously and avoid endorsing claims that have not been independently verified.