Zelensky slams Russia’s drone attack claims as “fabricated pretext” for strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Russian assertions that Ukrainian drones attempted to strike a state residence of President Vladimir Putin as “another lie,” warning that Moscow is using the allegation to justify potential strikes, most likely targeting Kyiv and government buildings.

“With this statement about an alleged attack on some residence, they are preparing the ground to strike, most likely the capital and government buildings. We've already seen this before, when they attacked the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said during a press briefing on December 29, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

The Ukrainian leader noted that the timing of Russia’s claims coincided with ongoing progress in Ukraine’s talks with the United States on a revised peace framework. “It's obvious that yesterday we had a meeting with President Trump, and it's clear that when there is no scandal for the Russians, when there is progress, it is a failure for them. They do not want to end this war and are only capable of doing so under pressure. So they are looking for a pretext,” he added.

Earlier on December 29, Russian independent media reported, citing official statements by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, that Ukrainian drones had allegedly attempted to strike Putin’s state residence in Novgorod Oblast using 91 drones overnight.

Lavrov claimed that Russia would “revise its negotiating position” but would not withdraw from talks, accusing Kyiv of engaging in what he described as “state terrorism” and warning that targets and timing for a retaliatory strike had already been determined.

Zelenskyy characterized Russia’s statements as a deliberate attempt to create a pretext for continued aggression, underscoring that the claims are evidently fabricated to justify further attacks on Ukraine while avoiding steps necessary to end the war.

By Vafa Guliyeva