PM Modi says ‘concerned’ by reports of drone strike on Putin’s residence; China, Pak also react

A day after Russia claimed that Ukraine had targeted the residence of President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern and reiterated that diplomatic efforts offered the “most viable path toward ending hostilities and achieving peace”.

On Monday, Russia said drone strikes had targeted the residence of Putin and that Kremlin’s negotiating position will now be reviewed.

Modi Tuesday urged parties working to end hostilities in the Ukraine war to avoid any actions that could undermine the peace process and negotiations.

“Deeply concerned by reports of the targeting of the residence of the President of the Russian Federation,” PM Modi said in a post on social media platform X.

“Ongoing diplomatic efforts offer the most viable path toward ending hostilities and achieving peace,” he added.

Deeply concerned by reports of the targeting of the residence of the President of the Russian Federation. Ongoing diplomatic efforts offer the most viable path toward ending hostilities and achieving peace. We urge all concerned to remain focused on these efforts and to avoid any…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 30, 2025

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday said that the Ukrainian military attacked President Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod region with 91 long-range drones, adding that Moscow’s negotiating position will be reviewed in view of the incident. Lavrov’s statement came after US President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida to discuss a revised peace plan, with security guarantees for Ukraine being 95 per cent agreed upon.

Lavrov said the drones were destroyed by the Russian air defences and that no one was injured in the incident, which allegedly took place on December 28-29. Saying the alleged attack by Kyiv amounts to “state terrorism,” Lavrov declared that targets were already shortlisted for retaliatory strikes.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement on the reports, urging both sides to abide by the principle of “no spillover of battlefield,” and insisted there should be no escalation despite Russia’s threat to respond, Sky News reported.

“We call on all parties concerned to adhere to three principles: to prevent the spread of conflict, to avoid escalation of hostilities, and to refrain from provocations in order to de-escalate the situation and create conditions for a political settlement of the crisis”, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said, according to Sputnik News.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif condemned the alleged attack, saying that “such a heinous act constitutes a grave threat to peace, security, and stability, particularly at a time when efforts aimed at peace are underway.”

“Pakistan expresses its solidarity with the President of the Russian Federation, and with the government and people of Russia. We reiterate our firm rejection of all forms of violence and acts intended to undermine security and threaten peace,” he wrote on X.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called the Russian allegations a “complete fabrication” aimed at derailing the peace process. “Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts with President Trump’s team,” Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian President said the US had offered security guarantees for 15 yearsand unresolved issues included some territory and the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin told Trump about the alleged drone incident and that the US president was “shocked” and “angry”. When asked if Washington had seen evidence of an attack, Trump said, “We’ll find out… maybe the attack didn’t take place, that’s possible too.”

Russia currently has control over Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Moscow said it would not provide evidence for the drone attack. “I don’t think there should be any evidence if such a massive drone attack is being carried out, which, thanks to the well-coordinated work of the air defence system, was shot down,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to a report by France 24. The Russian military typically handles such inquiries.