Brussels, Dec 31 (NationPress) The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, on Wednesday described Russia's assertion that Ukraine is targeting its crucial government facilities as a "deliberate distraction."

Kallas accused Russia of trying to obstruct the peace efforts being made by Ukraine and its Western allies, urging the international community to remain skeptical of Moscow's allegations.

In a post on X, she remarked, "Russia’s claim that Ukraine recently targeted key government sites in Russia is a deliberate distraction. Moscow aims to derail real progress towards peace by Ukraine and its Western partners. No one should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor who has indiscriminately targeted Ukraine’s infrastructure and civilians since the start of the war."

This statement follows comments from Major General Alexander Romanenkov, Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces' Anti-Aircraft Missile Troops, who claimed on Wednesday that a drone attack by Ukrainian forces on Russian President Vladimir Putin's residence in the Novgorod region was launched from the Sumy and Chernihiv regions.

Romanenkov was quoted by the Russian media outlet Izvestia as stating, "At around 7:20 p.m. on December 28, an air attack using unmanned aerial vehicles was discovered from the Sumy and Chernihiv regions of Ukraine."

According to Russia's Ministry of Defence, all Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) directed at the presidential residence were destroyed by its air defense systems. Russia employed Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) and Electronic Warfare (EW) systems to thwart Ukrainian attacks over the Bryansk, Smolensk, and Novgorod regions, claiming to have shot down 41 drones over Novgorod and 49 over Bryansk between December 28-29.

On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of launching UAVs at Putin's state residence in the early hours of December 29, asserting that Russia would respond to this attack, as reported by the news agency Tass.

Lavrov stated, "The Kyiv regime launched a terrorist attack using 91 long-range strike unmanned aerial vehicles on the state residence of the president of the Russian Federation in Novgorod Region", adding that all drones were intercepted without any reported casualties or damages.

This incident occurs amidst ongoing negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected Russia's accusations on Monday, declaring them as "dangerous statements to undermine achievements of shared diplomatic efforts" made with US President Donald Trump's administration and labeling them as "lies." He dismissed the claim of the residence attack as a "complete fabrication" aimed at justifying further assaults on Ukraine.

Zelensky remarked, "Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts. This alleged 'residence strike' story is a complete fabrication intended to justify additional attacks against Ukraine, including Kyiv, as well as Russia’s own refusal to take necessary steps to end the war."

He added, "Typical Russian lies. Furthermore, the Russians have already targeted Kyiv in the past, including the Cabinet of Ministers building. Ukraine does not take steps that can undermine diplomacy. To the contrary, Russia always takes such steps. This is one of many differences between us. It is critical that the world doesn’t stay silent now. We cannot allow Russia to undermine the work on achieving a lasting peace."