On Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry released video footage of what it said was a drone shot down during an alleged Ukrainian attempt earlier this week to attack a Russian presidential facility.
اضافة اعلان
Kyiv, however, has stated that Moscow has provided no evidence to support its claims and accused Russia of fabricating the alleged attack to hinder progress in talks to end the war in Ukraine.
The videos released by the Russian ministry show Major General Alexander Romanenkov presenting details of Moscow’s accusations that Ukraine targeted a site designated for President Vladimir Putin in the Novgorod region.
Romanenkov claimed that Ukraine launched 91 drones from the Ukrainian regions of Sumy and Chernihiv in a “precisely planned” attack. He added that Russian air defenses intercepted the assault without causing any damage or injuries.
The video also shows a Russian soldier standing next to debris of a device said to be part of a Ukrainian Chaeklon-V drone. The drone reportedly carried a six-kilogram explosive, which did not detonate. The ministry did not clarify how it identified the intended target of the drone.
In his annual New Year’s address, President Putin expressed confidence in the Russian forces’ ability to achieve victory in what he described as an existential conflict with the West. He said: “Millions across Russia stand with you tonight… They think of you, sympathize with you, and wish you well. I wish all our soldiers and leaders a happy New Year! We believe in you and in our victory!”
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yuriy Tykhyi told Reuters that the footage is “laughable” and stated that Kyiv is “completely confident that no such attack occurred.”
Reuters was unable to independently verify the location or date of the footage showing drone debris, nor confirm its model.
Other footage shows a man identified as Igor Bolshakov from a village in the Novgorod region, claiming he heard the sound of air defense missiles while they were operating.
Reuters
