President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued specific warnings that Russia is laying groundwork for strikes on government buildings in Kyiv through manufactured allegations about Ukrainian attacks. The Ukrainian leader’s assessment focuses on Moscow’s tactical objectives behind current accusations.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of launching 91 long-range drones at the presidential compound in Novgorod region over December 28-29. He characterized the alleged operation as state terrorism and warned that Russia would respond with military force. Lavrov confirmed that Russian military planners had identified specific targets for potential strike operations.
Zelensky dismissed Russian allegations as complete fabrications specifically designed to create justification for attacks on Ukrainian government infrastructure. He argued that Moscow’s accusations about an attack on Putin’s residence were strategically crafted to provide cover for planned Russian strikes on similar facilities in Kyiv. The Ukrainian president emphasized that Russia was following a predictable pattern of accusation followed by operation.
According to Russian accounts, air defense systems successfully intercepted all incoming threats to the presidential compound. However, Lavrov’s confirmation that targets had been identified for retaliation supported Zelensky’s assessment that Russia was preparing strikes on Ukrainian government buildings. The Ukrainian president warned that these attacks could target facilities housing leadership and government operations.
Zelensky’s warning to the international community specifically called for recognition of Russia’s tactical objectives. He argued that understanding Moscow’s current accusations as groundwork for planned strikes on Kyiv government buildings was essential to preventing those operations or minimizing their propaganda value. The Ukrainian president referenced Russia’s previous strike on the Cabinet of Ministers building as precedent for exactly the type of attacks he now warned were being prepared. He stressed that exposing Russian tactics before operations are executed can complicate Moscow’s ability to justify them as legitimate retaliation. Zelensky emphasized that international awareness and condemnation in advance of anticipated strikes represents an important tool for limiting their effectiveness and protecting Ukrainian government infrastructure.