Overview
- Russia alleges Ukraine launched 91 drones at a presidential residence in the Novgorod region and says all were intercepted without casualties or damage.
- Ukraine’s leadership denies any such operation and demands evidence, while Western analysts and ISW report no corroborating videos or local accounts.
- The Kremlin says the claim will harden its negotiating posture yet insists talks will continue, including primary engagement with the United States.
- The White House confirms a Trump–Putin call; a Kremlin aide says Trump reacted angrily, and Trump later acknowledged the incident might not have occurred.
- Putin signs a decree to recruit reservists to guard critical infrastructure as senior Russian figures, including Dmitry Medvedev, escalate rhetoric toward Zelensky.