Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Ukraine on 29/12 of launching an attack with 91 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeting President Vladimir Putin's residence on the outskirts of Valdai town, Novgorod province. He stated that all UAVs were shot down by Russian air defense, with no casualties or damage reported, but asserted that "such reckless actions cannot go unanswered."

However, Russia's Mozhem Obyasnit news outlet reported on 30/12, citing 14 residents of Valdai town, that they received no warning messages from authorities and heard no sounds of a drone attack on the night of 28/12 and early morning of 29/12.

"That night there was no noise, no explosions, nothing," a Valdai resident said. "If something like that happened, the entire town would be abuzz."

President Vladimir Putin's residence in Valdai, known as Dolgiye Borody, is located northeast of the town and is separated from the rest of the area by Lake Valdai. Residents there stated they frequently know when President Putin visits the residence due to the large number of escort helicopters.

Satellite image from 8/2023 of President Putin's residence complex in Novgorod. Photo: Reuters

Foreign Minister Lavrov declared that Russia would have to reconsider its negotiating stance on Ukraine. He also warned that targets and timing for retaliation against Ukraine's attack on President Putin's residence had been selected.

However, the figures provided by Russian officials regarding the attack were inconsistent. Aleksandr Dronov, the governor of Novgorod province, posted a series of statements on social media on the morning of 29/12, claiming 41 UAVs were shot down in the province, but did not specify their targets. In contrast, the Russian Ministry of Defense issued a statement saying only 18 UAVs were shot down in the Novgorod region that night.

Grace Mappes, an expert at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in the US, stated that when Ukraine conducts a deep strike into Russian territory, there are typically "reports from residents and local authorities about UAVs or debris" when they are shot down in airspace. This UAV debris often causes explosions or large fires upon impact.

Yet, on 29/12, no videos appeared on Russian social media showing UAVs flying overhead or air defense systems activating, nor any images of fires, smoke plumes, or large explosions at specific locations in Novgorod province.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the accusations of an attack on Putin's residence, labeling the information "lies" intended to justify further Moscow attacks on Kyiv. He also criticized Russia for undermining US-led diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

Immediately after the Russian Foreign Minister announced the alleged attack, the White House reported that President Donald Trump had a "positive" phone call with President Putin regarding Ukraine. President Trump stated he was informed by President Putin about the residence attack and expressed "great anger."

However, the US President did not rule out the possibility that Ukraine did not carry out such a strike. "You're saying the attack might not have happened? That's also a possibility, I suppose," President Trump told reporters.

Ngoc Anh (According to Moscow Times, AFP)