30 December,2025 08:14 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
PM Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin. File pic
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep concern over reports claiming that the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Novgorod Region was targeted, as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues amid ongoing peace efforts.
In a post on X, PM Modi stressed the importance of diplomacy and cautioned against actions that could derail efforts to resolve the conflict.
"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 in his post.
His remarks came after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Ukraine had carried out a drone attack on President Putin's state residence in the Novgorod Region overnight on Monday. As reported by TASS, Lavrov said that Kyiv deployed 91 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during the attack.
According to TASS, Lavrov confirmed that all the drones were intercepted and destroyed, and no casualties or damage to property were reported. He further warned that Moscow would respond to the incident, adding that the timing and targets of Russia's retaliatory measures had already been decided.
Despite the incident, Lavrov maintained that Russia would not withdraw from the ongoing negotiations aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict. However, he noted that the attack would lead Moscow to reassess its negotiating position, TASS reported.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected Lavrov's claims, describing them as "fabrications" and asserting that Ukraine would not take steps that could undermine diplomatic efforts.
"Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts with President Trump's team. We keep working together to bring peace closer. This alleged âresidence 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. Typical Russian lies. Furthermore, the Russians have already targeted Kyiv in the past, including the Cabinet of Ministers building," Zelenskyy said in a post on X.
Zelenskyy added that the claim was an attempt to weaken his peace initiatives, calling it "another lie from the Russian Federation".
The developments come shortly after US President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Sunday as part of continued efforts to advance peace talks aimed at ending the four-year-long conflict.
(With ANI inputs)
