Russia Claims Ukraine Drone Strike on Putin Home; Modi Condemns, Zelenskyy Denies as Fabrication Amid Peace Talks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday sounded alarm over reports alleging Ukraine-led attacks on the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing that diplomacy is the only real pathway to peace.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) December 30: On Monday, Russian authorities said close to a hundred long-range Ukrainian drones had attempted to hit President Vladimir Putin’s country home in Novgorod, north of the capital.
Modi's Strong Condemnation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the move, saying he was deeply concerned by the escalation. The Prime Minister emphasized that sustained diplomatic efforts remain the only viable path to peace.
“Deeply concerned by reports of the targeting of the residence of the President of the Russian Federation. Ongoing diplomatic efforts offer the most viable path toward ending hostilities and achieving peace. We urge all concerned to remain focused on these efforts and to avoid any actions that could undermine them," PM Modi said.
Zelenskyy's Firm Rejection
In contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected Russia’s claim as “a complete fabrication” and accused the Kremlin of its refusal to act decisively to end the war.
"Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all the achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts with President Trump's team. We keep working together to bring peace closer. This alleged "residence strike" story is a complete fabrication intended to justify additional attacks against Ukraine, including Kyiv, as well as Russia’s own refusal to take necessary steps to end the war," he said.
Lavrov Vows Retaliation
Russia accused Ukraine on Monday of trying to attack President Vladimir Putin’s residence with 91 long-range drones. The Kremlin promised to respond, but was unable to provide evidence to support the charge that Kyiv rejected as unfounded and aimed at scuttling painstaking peace talks.
The drone attack, in the intervening night between Sunday and Monday, caused no damage as all the drones were shot down, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. But he said that Russia had the prerogative to respond at an appropriate time. He described the purported Ukrainian attacks as a bid by Kyiv and its backers to scuttle peace talks.
He said that while Moscow might revise its stance on talks with Ukraine, the talks would remain with US President Donald Trump’s team.
Trump Peace Push Continues
Russia’s claim followed a day after Zelenskyy’s meeting with Trump, who said the two were “getting a lot closer, maybe very close,” to an agreement to end the war, although “thorny” territorial issues remained.
Trump said in a phone call with Putin on Monday morning that the alleged attack had angered him and that Putin told him about the attack. But Trump said he still believed that a peace deal might soon be reached.
