Kyiv calls allegation fabricated, Europe urges transparency, diplomacy tested amid escalating rhetoric and continued battlefield violence.
Ukraine said Tuesday there is no “plausible” evidence it launched a drone attack on a secluded residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing Moscow of spreading falsehoods to manipulate negotiations aimed at ending the war.
Kyiv’s allies voiced skepticism. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for “transparency,” while a French presidential source described the Kremlin’s claims as an “act of defiance” toward U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace-brokering efforts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated that the allegation is a “complete fabrication,” saying Kyiv’s negotiators reviewed details with U.S. counterparts and concluded the claim was fake. He urged partners to verify independently and announced meetings with allied leaders on January 6 in France to reinvigorate diplomacy, preceded by a January 3 gathering of security advisers.
The Kremlin labeled the alleged incident a “terrorist act” and a “personal attack,” but acknowledged it could not present evidence because the drones were “all shot down.” Moscow said it would toughen its negotiating position and choose the time and place of retaliation. Russia has conducted near-daily drone and missile strikes on Ukraine for almost four years.
European leaders rallied around Kyiv. Merz said allies are moving the peace process forward and that honesty is required “from everyone—including Russia.” A summit of the “coalition of the willing” is planned, Zelensky said.
Trump, who spoke with Putin on Monday, criticized Kyiv, saying attacking a leader’s residence would be different from battlefield actions—comments Ukraine disputes.
Putin’s residences are shrouded in secrecy. Investigations by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny and reporting by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty described a lakeside Novgorod property with enhanced air defenses.
The episode lands at a sensitive diplomatic moment. Ukraine says it has agreed to most of a U.S.-drafted plan; Russia has been hesitant absent concessions to its demands. Fighting continues: Ukraine reported drone attacks on civilian vessels near Odesa and ordered evacuations in parts of Chernihiv region amid shelling.
