The EU's top diplomat has called Moscow's claims that Ukraine targeted Russian government sites a deliberate distraction and an attempt to derail the peace process.
Kaja Kallas' comments on social media appear to be a reference to the Kremlin's allegation that Ukraine attempted a drone strike on one of Vladimir Putin's residences.
No one should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor who has indiscriminately targeted Ukraine's infrastructure and civilians, Kallas wrote on social media.
Earlier this week, Moscow accused Ukraine of targeting Putin's private home on Lake Valdai in north-west Russia.
Russia would review its position in the ongoing peace negotiations as a result, the Kremlin said.
Since Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov first shared the claims, Russian state media and politicians have discussed the alleged attack in increasingly incendiary tones.
The attack is a strike on the heart of Russia, said Andrei Kartapolov, head of the Russian parliament's defence committee. After what [Ukraine] has done, there can be no forgiveness.
Although the Kremlin initially stated it saw no point in sharing proof of the alleged attack, on Wednesday, the Russian army released what it claimed was evidence of the attempted strike.
It included a map allegedly showing that the drones were launched from the Sumy and Chernihiv regions of Ukraine and a video of a downed drone lying in snowy woodland. A serviceman standing next to the wreckage claims it is a Ukrainian Chaklun drone.
However, the BBC hasn't been able to verify the footage, and it is not possible to locate where it was shot.
The profile of the wrecked UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) bears similarities to Ukrainian-produced Chakluns—but because the components are inexpensive and widely available, they cannot be conclusively traced to the Ukrainian military.
Russia's defence ministry also released a video of what it said was a local resident who described hearing noises like a rocket at the time of the alleged attack. However, a Russian investigative media outlet claimed to have spoken to several residents around Putin's residence, and none reported hearing indications of an imminent drone attack.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied the allegations, linking them to broader peace negotiations involving the US and Ukraine. He expressed concerns that these claims could escalate tensions and be used as a pretext for further strikes on Ukraine.
As of late December, Ukraine's cities, including Odesa, have been enduring repeated drone strikes and attacks, severely impacting civilian infrastructure and resulting in injuries and fatalities.
The pursuit for peace remains tenuous as both sides navigate a complex play of disinformation, military strategy, and geopolitical maneuvering as the world heads into 2026.
