Overview
- Russia says 91 long‑range drones targeted the Valdai state residence in Novgorod overnight and claims air defenses destroyed them all.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky denies any Ukrainian role, calling the accusation a lie and warning it is a pretext for new strikes on Kyiv and government buildings.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warns Russia will harden its negotiating position and offers no publicly verifiable evidence, directing debris questions to the defense ministry.
- President Donald Trump says he is very angry after a call with Vladimir Putin about the alleged attack and voices concern over the timing during sensitive negotiations.
- Open‑source analysts and media note the lack of imagery and dispute the 91‑drone figure, and the claim has injected uncertainty into ongoing US‑brokered diplomacy.