Russia has accused Ukraine of attempting to attack President Vladimir Putin’s residence with drones, a claim Kyiv has strongly denied, calling it a fabrication aimed at undermining prospects for peace talks.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Ukrainian forces had tried to target Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region using drones. Russian officials did not provide independent evidence to support the allegation, but framed the incident as part of what they described as Ukraine’s escalating tactics.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the accusation, describing it as a “dangerous” statement and a deliberate fabrication. He warned that such claims risk derailing diplomatic efforts and inflaming tensions at a sensitive moment. Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine remains focused on securing a just peace, emphasizing that “strong” and binding security guarantees are a core element of Ukraine’s draft peace proposals.

Amid the exchange of accusations, a senior Russian official said that progress toward ending the war would depend largely on dialogue between Moscow and Washington, underscoring the importance Russia places on U.S.–Russia talks rather than direct negotiations with Kyiv alone.

Separately, authorities under Russian occupation announced the reopening of a theater in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol. The theater had become a symbol of the conflict after being heavily damaged earlier in the war. Ukrainian officials and international observers have criticized cultural and reconstruction projects in occupied territories, arguing they are used to legitimize Russia’s control.