Russia Claims to Thwart Massive 91-Drone Attack on Putin’s Novgorod Residence

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Monday that federal security forces successfully intercepted a massive swarm of 91 Ukrainian drones targeting the state residence of President Vladimir Putin in the Novgorod Oblast. According to the state-owned news agency TASS, the attack occurred in the early hours of the morning, marking one of the most significant attempted strikes on Russian leadership infrastructure since the conflict began.
Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Lavrov detailed that the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were launched in multiple waves, attempting to overwhelm the air defense grid protecting the Valdai complex, a secluded presidential retreat located approximately midway between Moscow and St. Petersburg. “The Kyiv regime attempted a desperate act of terrorism against the head of state,” Lavrov stated. “However, thanks to the layered defense systems in place, all 91 hostile targets were neutralized before reaching the perimeter. No damage was inflicted on the residence, and there were no casualties.”
The Ministry of Defense later released footage purportedly showing Pantsir-S1 and Tor-M2 anti-aircraft systems engaging targets in the night sky over the Novgorod region. The interception rate was cited as 100%, a statistic Moscow is keen to highlight as proof of its improved electronic warfare and kinetic defense capabilities. Debris from the downed drones reportedly fell in uninhabited forest areas surrounding the estate, causing minor fires that were quickly extinguished by emergency services.
The Valdai residence has long been a subject of scrutiny due to its high-level security measures. In recent years, satellite imagery has revealed the installation of multiple air defense towers and radar systems specifically designed to shield the compound from low-flying aerial threats. This attack, if confirmed in its scale, represents a dramatic escalation in Ukraine’s deep-strike strategy, moving beyond oil refineries and military airfields to directly target the political center of gravity in Russia.
Lavrov warned that this “reckless provocation” would not go unanswered. “Those who order such strikes from bunkers in Kyiv, and their handlers in Western capitals, must understand that the patience of the Russian Federation is not infinite,” he added, hinting at a potential retaliatory strike on Ukrainian “decision-making centers.”
Independent verification of the attack remains difficult. While local residents in the Novgorod region reported hearing explosions and air raid sirens on social media channels, Kyiv has not officially claimed responsibility. Ukrainian officials have previously maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding strikes deep inside Russian territory, often describing them as the result of “internal Russian instability.”
The incident comes at a time of heightened tension, following reports of increased drone production capabilities in Ukraine. Military analysts suggest that a coordinated swarm of 91 drones requires sophisticated logistical planning and navigation technology, indicating that the conflict’s aerial dimension continues to evolve rapidly despite ongoing diplomatic maneuvers.