Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed serious concern over reports claiming that Ukrainian drones had attempted to target the official residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin near Moscow. Reacting to the developments, the Prime Minister emphasised that continued diplomatic engagement remains the only realistic route toward de-escalation and peace, warning that any action which intensifies hostilities could jeopardise ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict.
In a post shared on social media, PM Modi said he was “deeply concerned” by the reports surrounding the alleged drone strike and urged all sides to remain committed to diplomacy. He underscored that sustained dialogue and restraint were essential to bringing an end to the war, adding that any escalation would only undermine the fragile progress made through negotiations.
Russia, earlier in the day, claimed that Ukraine had launched a large-scale drone attack aimed at President Putin’s residence near Moscow. According to Russian officials, as many as 91 long-range drones were deployed during the overnight operation, all of which were intercepted and destroyed before causing any damage. While Moscow vowed retaliation, it did not present any evidence to substantiate its claims. Ukraine, for its part, dismissed the allegations outright, calling them baseless and politically motivated.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking in a televised address, said the drone incident occurred during the night between Sunday and Monday and described it as a deliberate attempt by Kyiv and its allies to derail peace negotiations. Although he stated that Russia reserved the right to respond at a time of its choosing, Lavrov added that Moscow would continue to engage in talks, particularly through channels linked to US President Donald Trump’s administration.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly rejected Russia’s narrative, calling the accusation a “complete fabrication.” He accused Moscow of using such claims as a pretext to justify further military action and to avoid making genuine concessions at the negotiating table. Zelenskyy said the allegations were designed to weaken ongoing diplomatic efforts and to provide cover for renewed attacks, including on Ukrainian cities such as Kyiv.
The episode comes just a day after Zelenskyy met President Trump, who indicated that negotiations to end the war were making progress. Trump said that discussions were “getting very close” to a possible settlement, though he acknowledged that several contentious issues, particularly territorial disputes, remained unresolved. According to Trump, Putin had informed him of the alleged drone attack during a phone call earlier in the day, expressing anger over the incident. Despite this, Trump maintained that a peace agreement was still achievable.
The exchange of accusations has added fresh tension to an already fragile situation, even as international leaders continue to push for dialogue. With both sides trading claims and counterclaims, global attention remains focused on whether diplomatic channels can withstand the strain of renewed military and rhetorical escalation.
