Russia has announced the deployment of its latest nuclear-capable missile system to Belarus, a move it frames as a response to an alleged large-scale Ukrainian drone attack on President Vladimir Putin's residence.
Missile Deployment and Alleged Provocation
Footage released by the Russian defence ministry showed the new Oreshnik missile system being transported through a snowy forest. Soldiers were seen camouflaging vehicles and raising a flag at an airbase in eastern Belarus, near the Russian border. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that ten Oreshnik systems would be stationed in his country.
The deployment came a day after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned of "reprisals" against Kyiv. He claimed that on Sunday night, 91 Ukrainian drones targeted Putin's palace in the Novgorod region. However, the Kremlin has provided no evidence. Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said on Tuesday that proof was unavailable as all missiles were shot down.
Kyiv Dismisses Claims as Russian 'Fake News'
Ukraine has firmly denied carrying out any such attack. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated Russia had invented the story and urged other nations to ignore it. "Almost a day passed, and Russia still hasn't provided any plausible evidence... No such attack happened," he posted on X.
Independent Russian media outlet Sota reported that local residents near the alleged attack site heard no explosions or anti-aircraft fire. No air raid alert was issued, and no mobile phone footage of the incident—common with confirmed strikes—emerged online.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested Russia was spreading "fake news" due to his "fairly successful" weekend meeting with former US President Donald Trump and recent diplomatic progress. He accused Moscow of not wanting "any positive outcome."
International Reactions and Escalating Tensions
The situation has drawn mixed international responses. Donald Trump endorsed Russia's account, stating Putin told him about the attack in a phone call. "It's another thing to attack his house. It's not the right time," Trump said.
Sybiha expressed frustration with India, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates for expressing concern over the reports, saying such reactions "play into Russian propaganda."
Meanwhile, Ukrainian commanders reported that Russian kamikaze drones regularly fly over a government residence used by Zelenskyy en route to Kyiv. A territorial defence unit head said his team shot down two such drones on Saturday near the state residence in Koncha-Zaspa.
The missile deployment is seen as a symbolic act that reduces the flight time for a Russian missile to reach an EU capital. It follows Putin's reaffirmation on Monday of his intent to capture more Ukrainian territory, including Zaporizhzhia.
Diplomatic efforts continue, with Zelenskyy due to meet European allies in France on 6 January. The focus remains on a potential peace plan involving US security guarantees for Ukraine, though commentators warn such pledges are undermined if foreign leaders uncritically accept Russian claims.
