In a significant escalation of diplomatic rhetoric, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has characterized a recent drone assault on a Russian presidential compound as “the most savage terrorism, at the highest state level.” The remarks came during a press briefing where Lukashenko expressed bewilderment about the attack’s motives, questioning “who needs it?”
The incident, which Russian authorities claim occurred in the Novgorod region, involved an alleged deployment of 91 unmanned aerial vehicles targeting the presidential residence. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov directly attributed the attack to Ukrainian forces, marking one of the most serious accusations in recent months.
Despite the severity of the alleged assault, Lavrov reported that Russian air defense systems successfully intercepted all drones involved, preventing any damage to the presidential compound. The minister’s statement highlighted Russia’s continued military preparedness against what it characterizes as terrorist tactics.
In a consequential development for international diplomacy, Lavrov indicated that while Russia does not plan to completely abandon negotiation channels with the United States following the incident, Moscow will substantially reassess its position in those talks. This suggests potential hardening of Russia’s diplomatic stance toward Western powers engaged in the Ukraine conflict.
The allegations emerge against a backdrop of intensified hostilities in the region, with drone warfare becoming increasingly prevalent. Security analysts note that attacks on high-profile political targets represent a dangerous escalation in tactics, potentially altering the conflict’s dynamics.