Overview
- Russia’s Defense Ministry said air defenses intercepted 91 Ukrainian strike drones targeting President Vladimir Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod region overnight on Dec. 28–29.
- Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov labeled the episode a terrorist attack and said targets and timing for retaliatory responses have been identified.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly denied that such an attack occurred, calling the Russian statements a lie.
- Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin informed U.S. President Donald Trump, who later called the alleged attempt inappropriate and said he was angered by it.
- Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia will not publicize details of its hardened position but will continue negotiations with the United States.