Zelensky denies targeting Putin: Behind the scenes of the Russian accusation and response
In a significant development amid intense diplomatic activity, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy categorically denied Moscow's accusations that Kyiv launched a large-scale drone attack targeting the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin . This denial came amid international concerns that Russia might use this pretext as justification for a new military escalation targeting key decision-making centers in the Ukrainian capital.
Details of the Russian accusation and the Ukrainian response
Zelensky described the Russian narrative as a “lie,” indicating that its aim was to undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts, particularly those led by the United States. The Ukrainian president asserted that these accusations were an attempt to cover up Moscow’s intentions to launch new attacks on Kyiv, coming the day after his crucial meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump in Florida, a meeting expected to chart a new course for ending the conflict.
For his part, Donald Trump commented on the incident, explaining that Putin informed him of the attack while in a state of “anger,” considering that the timing was “not appropriate to do something like this,” reflecting the sensitivity of the situation and its direct impact on the course of negotiations that began last November in an attempt to stop the bloodiest war in Europe since World War II.
The Russian narrative: 91 marches and threats of retaliation
On the other hand, Moscow escalated its rhetoric, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declaring that the “Kyiv regime” had carried out what he described as a “terrorist” attack using 91 drones targeting President Putin’s official residence in the Novgorod region (located between Moscow and St. Petersburg). Lavrov confirmed that all the drones had been intercepted, but vowed that the attack would not go unanswered, announcing Russia’s intention to review its position in the ongoing negotiations.
Context of the conflict and drone warfare
This is not the first time Russia has accused Ukraine of targeting President Putin personally. In May 2023, Moscow announced it had thwarted an attack involving two drones targeting the Kremlin, a claim Kyiv also denied at the time. These accusations typically come at politically sensitive times, with observers suggesting Russia might use such incidents to justify a massive missile strike on Ukrainian infrastructure or government buildings, further complicating the military and political landscape.
Impact of the incident on the diplomatic process
This event is particularly significant given its timing, coinciding with attempts to revive the negotiation process. The mutual accusations raise serious doubts about the parties' commitment to reaching a ceasefire. Analysts believe that targeting a presidential residence—if true—or fabricating such a narrative, represents a crossing of red lines that could return the conflict to square one, putting pressure on the new US administration to contain the situation before it spirals out of control, especially given Zelensky's assertion that Russia "does not want to end the war.".
