Urgent: Russia Threatens Zelenskyy Amid Alleged Drone Attack
UPDATE: A top Russian official has unleashed personal threats against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following claims that Ukraine conducted a drone strike on one of Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s official residences. The allegations, made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, assert that the attack occurred on the night of December 29 in the Novgorod region.
The situation escalated quickly, with Lavrov providing no evidence for his claims, while Zelenskyy dismissed them as another instance of Russian disinformation. In a shocking statement, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now a member of the Security Council, accused Zelenskyy of attempting to sabotage ongoing peace talks, declaring, “He wants war. Well, now at least he’ll have to stay in hiding for the rest of his worthless life.”
In a separate post, Medvedev suggested Zelenskyy should be “exhibited” in St. Petersburg following his “imminent demise,” intensifying the aggressive rhetoric from Moscow. As tensions mount, Kremlin aide Kiril Dmitriev raised questions about Zelenskyy’s future, stating, “Who is after Zelenskyy?”
The Kremlin reported that U.S. President Donald Trump was informed of the alleged drone attack during a phone call with Putin. Russian officials have threatened retaliatory strikes in Ukraine, further inflaming an already volatile situation. Top aide Yuri Ushakov indicated that Trump expressed surprise and anger over the alleged incident.
Zelenskyy responded firmly, calling the accusations “yet another lie.” He warned that the statements regarding an attack on a Russian residence were likely a pretext for further strikes against Ukraine, including potential attacks on the capital and state buildings.
The implications for ongoing peace negotiations are unclear. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that this alleged attack would lead to a “hardening of Russia’s negotiating position,” while asserting that Russia remains committed to the negotiation process. Peskov described the accusations as an attempt to disrupt Trump’s efforts toward a peaceful resolution.
In a recent meeting at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump indicated that negotiating teams were “getting a lot closer, maybe very close” to reaching a peace deal to end the conflict that erupted when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Despite Lavrov’s insistence that Russia will not withdraw from negotiations, he revealed that “targets and timing of Russia’s retaliatory strike” have already been set. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that on December 29, Russia launched two missiles and 60 drones into Ukraine overnight, with one missile and 52 drones intercepted. Meanwhile, one missile and eight drones caused damage across five locations.
In the Krasnodar region, Russian Defense Ministry reported the downing of four Ukrainian drones early on December 30. Local authorities reported injuries from shrapnel caused by drone wreckage falling near a railway station.
The increasing hostilities and threats from both sides highlight the precarious nature of the situation in Ukraine, as the world watches closely for developments in this ongoing conflict.
As this story unfolds, the international community will be eager to see how these threats affect peace talks and the wider geopolitical landscape. Stay tuned for further updates on this critical situation.
