Russia releases footage of drone claimed to be from Ukraine attack on Putin's residence

Moscow (The Uttam Hindu): Russia on Wednesday presented alleged evidence of 91 drone strikes by Kyiv. The Defense Ministry released footage showing Ukraine attempting to attack President Volodymyr Putin's residence from multiple directions simultaneously.

The Russian Defense Ministry said 91 drones were shot down in the Bryansk, Smolensk, and Novgorod regions. The attacks were targeted, well-planned, and staged. However, no housing was damaged.

Footage released by the Russian Defense Ministry shows the wreckage of a black drone, its wooden parts and red wires, lying in the snow. It is claimed it was loaded with 6 kilograms of explosives.

Russia claimed that Kyiv had sent 91 drones to the presidential residence on the intervening night of December 28-29, which Russia had shot down. Foreign Minister Lavrov issued a message confirming this. He said that all 91 long-range drones sent to attack the presidential residence in the Novgorod region were shot down by air defenses.

Foreign Minister Lavrov also said that despite the attack, Moscow would not back down from talks with the US to resolve the conflict.

However, Ukraine had completely rejected any attempt to attack the Russian President's residence.

Many countries around the world strongly condemned the targeting of the presidential residence. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed concern over reports of the attack and appealed for calm.

"I am deeply concerned by reports that the residence of the Russian President has been targeted. Ongoing diplomatic efforts offer the most viable path towards ending the conflict and achieving peace. We urge all parties concerned to remain focused on these efforts and avoid any actions that could undermine them," he wrote on Twitter. Beijing also appealed to both sides to "refrain from escalating tensions."