The Kremlin announced on Tuesday that it would strengthen its stance in negotiations regarding the conflict in Ukraine following allegations that Kyiv had targeted a Russian presidential residence. Kyiv dismissed the accusations as baseless and a tactic to prolong the conflict, labeling them as lies aimed at justifying further attacks.
Russia claimed that Kyiv had launched an attack on a presidential residence in the Novgorod region using 91 long-range attack drones. Although Russia vowed to retaliate and reassess its negotiating position, it stated that it would not withdraw from potential peace discussions.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the alleged attack was a terrorist act designed to disrupt the negotiation process. He emphasized that this incident would lead to a firmer negotiating position for Russia. Peskov also mentioned that the military was prepared to respond appropriately to such actions.
The escalation in Russia’s negotiating stance could complicate efforts led by U.S. President Donald Trump to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s invasion of the country in February 2022.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha refuted Russia’s claims, stating that no credible evidence had been presented to support the accusations. He expressed disappointment over statements from other countries expressing concern about an attack that Ukraine insists never occurred.
Russia alleged that 91 drones were intercepted en route to the presidential residence, with the majority shot down in various regions. Despite the lack of physical evidence provided by Russia, including wreckage, the Defense Ministry maintained its stance on the incident.
Furthermore, Russia targeted infrastructure in Ukraine’s Odesa region, causing damage to a civilian ship and facilities in the Black Sea ports of Pivdennyi and Chornomorsk. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba reported that a Panama-flagged ship carrying grains was impacted, along with oil storage tanks, resulting in one person being injured.
Despite the attacks, the affected ports continued operations. These ports play a crucial role in Ukraine’s foreign trade and the sustenance of its wartime economy.
In a separate development, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that its nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system had been deployed in Belarus, with video footage showing combat vehicles as part of combat training exercises. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed the arrival of the missile system in the country, with plans to station up to 10 such systems in Belarus.