Russia’s defence ministry has released video footage claiming to demonstrate an attempted drone attack by Ukraine on a presidential residence. This release aims to counter Kyiv’s denials regarding the alleged incident that reportedly took place earlier this week. Ukrainian officials assert that Russia has provided no credible evidence to substantiate its claims and suggest that the allegations are intended to hinder diplomatic progress in ongoing talks to resolve the conflict.
In a briefing, Major-General Alexander Romanenkov detailed the alleged attack, stating that a total of 91 drones were launched from Ukraine’s Sumy and Chernihiv regions. Romanenkov characterized the operation as “thoroughly planned” but claimed that Russian air defences successfully thwarted the assault, resulting in no damage or injuries.
The footage released by the ministry included images of a Russian serviceman beside what was described as fragments of a Ukrainian Chaklun-V drone. This drone reportedly carried a 6 kg explosive device that failed to detonate. Notably, the ministry did not clarify how it determined the intended target of the device.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi dismissed the footage as “laughable.” He emphasized that Kyiv remains “absolutely confident that no such attack took place.” The authenticity of the video, along with its location and date, could not be independently verified by Reuters. Furthermore, the model of the purported destroyed device has not been confirmed.
In additional footage, a local resident identified as Igor Bolshakov from the Novgorod region claimed to have heard the sounds of air defence rockets during the alleged incident. This statement adds another layer to the ongoing dispute between the two nations.
International skepticism regarding Russia’s narrative has been echoed by officials from various Western countries, who have raised questions about the credibility of Moscow’s claims. As the situation continues to unfold, the potential implications for peace negotiations remain uncertain, with both sides standing firm in their positions.
