India, Dec. 31 -- Russia has accused Ukraine of carrying out a drone attack targeting President Vladimir Putin's residence in the Novgorod region, escalating tensions amid fragile peace efforts.

Moscow did not disclose Putin's whereabouts at the time of the alleged strike.

The ministry claimed the attack was "targeted, carefully planned and carried out in stages," describing it as a "mass" drone launch that began around 7 pm on December 28.

According to the ministry, the drone was equipped with a high-explosive warhead containing multiple striking elements and was intended to damage manpower and civilian infrastructure.

It said the target was a "protected facility" in the Valdai district of the Novgorod region, where Putin has a resid...