Russia’s Defence Ministry has released video footage purportedly showing a downed drone, aiming to substantiate claims that Ukraine attempted an attack on a presidential residence. This statement comes amid ongoing tensions between Moscow and Kyiv, with Ukraine firmly denying any such attack took place.
The footage features Major-General Alexander Romanenkov, who detailed an alleged drone strike that he claims was executed by Ukraine from its Sumy and Chernihiv regions. According to Romanenkov, a total of 91 drones were launched in what he described as a “thoroughly planned” operation, which was reportedly thwarted by Russian air defences. He asserted that the attack caused no damage and resulted in no injuries.
In the video, a Russian serviceman is seen alongside fragments of a device, which he claims is a Ukrainian Chaklun-V drone equipped with a 6 kg explosive device that did not detonate. However, the Defence Ministry did not clarify how it determined the intended target of the drone.
Ukraine’s response to these claims has been unequivocal. Speaking to Reuters, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi dismissed the footage as “laughable” and asserted that Kyiv remains “absolutely confident that no such attack took place.”
The credibility of the Russian claims has been further questioned by officials in several Western nations, who have expressed skepticism regarding the evidence provided. Reports indicate that Reuters has been unable to verify the location and date of the footage depicting the destroyed device. Additionally, the model of the device has not been independently confirmed.
The footage also includes a segment featuring a local resident, identified as Igor Bolshakov from a village in the Novgorod region, who states that he heard the activation of air defence rockets during the alleged incident.
As the situation continues to evolve, both sides maintain their respective narratives, with international observers closely monitoring developments in this ongoing conflict.
