Moscow [Russia], December 30: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack on President Vladimir Putin's state residence.
According to TASS news agency on the evening of December 29, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Ukraine attempted to attack President Putin 's state residence in Novgorod province on the evening of December 28 and early morning of December 29 using 91 long-range drones, but all were destroyed by Russian air defenses. It is unclear whether Putin was present at the location at that time.
Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it had intercepted 89 Ukrainian drones between the end of December 28 and the early morning of December 29 over Russian territory and in the Sea of Azov, according to Sputnik news agency.
Following the incident, Lavrov stated that Russia would retaliate, with the target and timing of the counterattack already determined.
Despite the attack, Russia plans to continue negotiations with the US and other parties, but will change its negotiating position, Lavrov emphasized. Foreign Minister Lavrov did not specify Russia's planned response.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky immediately rejected the accusation, calling Lavrov's statement a lie aimed at undermining the progress Ukraine and the US have made through dialogue, according to Reuters. The leader accused Russia of fabricating a pretext for attacking government buildings in Kyiv and called on the US to respond appropriately.
Earlier, Zelensky met with US President Donald Trump in Florida on December 28 (early morning of December 29, Vietnam time) to discuss peace plans. The two leaders did not announce any breakthroughs but indicated that peace was very close. Trump is expected to speak with Putin soon to inform him of the meeting's results.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
