- Putin’s assassination plot claims by the Kremlin involve 91 drones targeting the Valdai residence.
- Ukraine denies the allegations, calling the reported plot a “complete fabrication” to justify new attacks.
- President Trump expressed anger over the report but remains committed to the 20-point peace plan.
- Pakistan and other global leaders have condemned the reported attack as a threat to international security.
In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the global diplomatic community, a reported Putin’s assassination plot involving a massive drone swarm has surfaced just as a long-awaited peace deal appeared within reach. The Kremlin’s announcement on December 29, 2025, has introduced a volatile new variable into the high-stakes negotiations between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine.
The Alleged “Assassination Plot” in Novgorod
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rocked international headlines by alleging a sophisticated Putin’s assassination plot orchestrated by Ukrainian forces. According to Lavrov, a swarm of 91 long-range drones targeted the Russian President’s official residence in the Novgorod region—specifically the Lake Valdai estate—between Sunday night and Monday morning.
Will Ukraine War End Soon? Putin’s Secret Miami Outreach to Trump Signals a Turning Point
While Russian air defenses reportedly neutralized all 91 drones, the Kremlin has categorized the incident as “state terrorism.” The timing is particularly conspicuous, occurring less than 24 hours after a 20-point peace plan was discussed between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago. Russian officials have since warned that this failed bid on the President’s life will force Moscow to “revise its stance” in the ongoing peace process.
Ukraine’s Rebuttal: A “Manufactured Crisis”
Kyiv has moved swiftly to dismantle the narrative of a Putin’s assassination plot, with President Zelenskyy labeling the story a “complete fabrication” and “typical Russian lies.” Ukrainian officials argue that Moscow is using a false-flag operation to justify a massive retaliatory strike on Kyiv and to provide a pretext for backing away from the 95% finalized peace agreement.
Ukraine denies drone attack on Putin’s residence
“Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts,” Zelenskyy stated on X. Ukrainian intelligence pointed out the lack of any physical evidence or local eyewitness reports of explosions in the Novgorod region, suggesting the plot exists only in the realm of Russian state media.
Trump’s Reaction and the Peace Stalemate
President Donald Trump, who spoke with Putin twice in 24 hours following the report, expressed significant frustration. “I learned about it from President Putin today. I was very angry about it,” Trump told reporters in Florida. While he admitted it was “possible” the attack didn’t happen, he appeared to lean into Putin’s version of events, warning that “attacking a house” is a line that should not be crossed during a “delicate period of time.”
Ukraine War Peace Talks in Florida: U.S. and Russian Officials Meet Amid High Demands
Despite the friction, Trump remains optimistic that he can keep both nations on the “right course.” Analysts, however, warn that the Putin’s assassination plot has made the situation “very complex,” as it gives the Kremlin leverage to demand deeper security guarantees or territorial concessions in the Donbas and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Pakistan and Global Solidarity
The international community has reacted with deep concern over the potential for escalation. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a formal condemnation, describing the reported targeting of the Russian President’s residence as a “heinous act.” Pakistan expressed its solidarity with the government and people of Russia, emphasizing that such violence constitutes a grave threat to global stability at a moment when peace efforts are most critical. Similarly, President Asif Ali Zardari urged “the highest degree of restraint” from both sides to ensure that dialogue and diplomacy are not permanently derailed by these developments.
World leaders responded with deep caution to the reported Putin’s assassination plot. China and India urged immediate de-escalation, while Pakistan and the UAE expressed solidarity with Russia. Conversely, Ukraine and Western allies dismissed the “plot” as a dangerous Russian fabrication.