EU’s Kallas Dismisses Russia’s Claim of 91-Drone Strike on Putin Residence as Kremlin Vows Tougher Talks

Overview

• Russia’s foreign minister said Ukraine targeted the president’s Novgorod residence on Dec. 29 with 91 UAVs and that air defenses destroyed all drones with no casualties reported.
• The head of Russia’s air-defense missile troops described the operation as deliberate, carefully planned and executed in stages.
• EU High Representative Kaja Kallas wrote that the presented facts are unfounded assertions and called the narrative a deliberate distraction.
• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia will continue negotiations on Ukraine but intends to focus dialogue with the United States and harden its position.
• Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov relayed President Donald Trump’s expression of disbelief and Putin’s warning of a serious response, as reports noted concern from leaders of India, Bangladesh, the UAE, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.