MOSCOW/WASHINGTON – Russia’s Ministry of Defense on Wednesday released a flight map and video footage showing the wreckage of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used in an attempted attack on the official residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
At a regular briefing, the ministry presented footage of the intercepted drones, showing black UAV fragments, wooden structural components and red electrical wiring scattered in the snow at the interception sites.
The ministry also published a detailed flight map tracing the drones’ routes. According to the map, the UAVs were launched from Ukraine’s Sumy and Chernihiv regions, with some flying over Russia’s Bryansk, Smolensk and Tver regions before being destroyed.
The map indicates that part of the drones followed a near-direct eastward route, while others took a longer path, flying close to the Russia-Belarus border through the Bryansk and Smolensk regions and later near the border between the Tver and Pskov regions.
Interception points marked on the map show that the drones were downed over the Bryansk, Smolensk and Novgorod regions, the ministry said.
The ministry added that the attempted attack occurred overnight between Sunday and Monday, caused no casualties, and resulted in no damage to Russian territory or the presidential residence.
Ukraine’s drone strikes on Kherson region
Meanwhile, at least 24 people were killed and more than 50 others injured after three Ukrainian drones hit a cafe and a hotel in Kherson on Wednesday night, local authorities said.
The attack occurred as civilians were gathering to celebrate the New Year, Vladimir Saldo, head of the Kherson region, said in a post on Telegram.
“Many people were burned alive,” Saldo said, noting that one of the drones carried an incendiary mixture, which triggered a massive fire at the scene. Firefighters were only able to fully extinguish the blaze by early Thursday morning.
Doctors are currently fighting to save the lives of the wounded, he said, adding that the regional authorities will provide all necessary assistance to the victims and the families of those killed.
Next steps in European peace process
Separately, US officials and national security advisors of the United Kingdom, France and Germany, along with Ukraine’s top peace negotiator, discussed advancing the next steps in the European peace process during a phone call, US presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff said.
“We focused on how to move the discussions forward in a practical way on behalf of POTUS (President of the United States)’s peace process, including strengthening security guarantees and developing effective deconfliction mechanisms to help end the war and ensure it does not restart,” Witkoff said on X.
He said that a “prosperity package” for Ukraine was also discussed.
“Many additional details were discussed, and we will continue this important work and coordination in the New Year,” Witkoff added.