Russia Claims 91 Ukrainian Drones Targeted Putin’s Novgorod Residence; Global Leaders React
Updated (2 articles)
Mass Drone Assault on Putin’s Country Residence Russia announced that 91 long‑range Ukrainian drones attempted to strike President Vladimir Putin’s country residence in the Novgorod region north of Moscow on 29 December 2025. Russian air defenses reportedly shot down all drones, preventing damage to the estate. The claim was made by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and echoed in official statements cited by The Hindu on 30 December 2025[1][2].
Indian Prime Minister Calls for Diplomatic Restraint Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X on 30 December 2025 expressing deep concern over the reported attack and urging all parties to avoid actions that could undermine ongoing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. He emphasized diplomacy as the only viable path to ending the conflict and called for continued de‑escalation. Modi’s remarks were framed as India’s neutral stance amid the heightened tensions[1][1].
Trump Issues Direct Warnings to Hamas and Iran At a press conference in Florida alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 30 December 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump warned Hamas to disarm and threatened fresh strikes against Iran if it pursued nuclear or missile capabilities. He used the phrase “hell to pay” to underscore potential consequences, positioning the United States as ready to act alongside Israel. The statements were presented as a renewed show of unity against regional threats[2].
Potential Shift in Moscow’s Negotiating Stance Following Lavrov’s announcement, Russian officials indicated that the drone attack would prompt a review of Moscow’s position in any diplomatic negotiations with Kyiv. This assessment aligns with Modi’s call for restraint, suggesting that the incident could complicate peace efforts. No concrete policy change was detailed, but both Russian and Indian leaders highlighted the need for careful diplomatic handling[2][1].
Sources
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1.
The Hindu: Modi Voices Deep Concern Over Reports Targeting Putin's Residence, Urges Diplomacy: Summarizes Modi’s X post, Russia’s claim of 91 Ukrainian drones, and calls for diplomatic focus on ending Russia‑Ukraine hostilities.
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2.
The Hindu: Dec 30, 2025: Trump Warns Hamas and Iran After Netanyahu Talks; Centre Says Fake MGNREGA Demands Will Not Be Entertained: Covers Trump’s Florida press conference warnings, Lavrov’s drone‑attack statement, and additional unrelated Indian policy news, highlighting the broader geopolitical context.
Timeline
2016 – India’s arbitration case over gas output from the D1 and D3 fields in the Krishna Godavari basin begins, with Reliance Industries and BP as parties, laying the groundwork for a multi‑billion‑dollar compensation claim [2].
Nov 2025 – Final arguments are presented in the arbitration tribunal concerning India’s claim for more than $30 billion in gas compensation, marking a decisive phase in the long‑running dispute [2].
Dec 29, 2025 – Ukraine launches 91 long‑range drones toward President Vladimir Putin’s country residence in the Novgorod region; Russian air defenses destroy the drones, and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the attack will prompt a review of Moscow’s negotiating position [1][2].
Dec 30, 2025 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi posts on X that he is “deeply concerned” by reports of the drone strike on Putin’s residence and urges all parties to keep “diplomacy … the path to peace” in the Russia‑Ukraine conflict [1].
Dec 30, 2025 – Former President Donald Trump, standing beside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida, warns Hamas and Iran that “hell to pay” awaits if they do not disarm, pledging fresh strikes and a crackdown on Tehran’s nuclear and missile programs [2].
Dec 30, 2025 – Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterates that Ukraine targeted Putin’s residence with 91 drones and says Moscow will reassess its diplomatic stance in light of the attack [2].
Dec 30, 2025 – India’s Rural Development Ministry tells a parliamentary committee it will reject any “fake” MGNREGA job‑card demands during the interim before the VB‑GRAM G Act replaces the current scheme, tightening oversight of rural employment guarantees [2].
Dec 30, 2025 – The Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully test‑fires the Pinaka Long‑Range Guided Rocket (LRGR‑120) with a 120 km range, and the Defence Acquisition Council subsequently clears procurement proposals worth ₹79,000 crore, advancing India’s long‑range precision‑strike capability [2].
Dec 30, 2025 – Australia announces that, starting Jan 1 2026, it will grant duty‑free market access to all Indian exports under the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, coinciding with the third anniversary of the pact’s implementation and signalling deeper bilateral trade ties [2].
Jan 1, 2026 (planned) – The duty‑free access for Indian exports into Australia takes effect, expected to boost trade volumes between the two nations as part of ongoing negotiations toward a broader Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement [2].